1 I want to tell you this: While the one who will inherit his father’s property is still a child, he is no different from a slave. It does not matter that the child owns everything.
2 While he is a child, he must obey those who are chosen to care for him. But when the child reaches the age set by his father, he is free.
3 It is the same for us. We were once like children. We were slaves to the useless rules of this world.
4 But when the right time came, God sent his Son. His Son was born of a woman and lived under the law.
5 God did this so that he could buy freedom for those who were under the law. His purpose was to make us his children.
6 And you are God’s children. That is why God sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts. The Spirit cries out, “Father, dear Father.”
7 So now you are not a slave; you are God’s child, and God will give you what he promised, because you are his child.