Elementary Principles...

Galatians 4 I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, 2 but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father.3 In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. 4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
A slave or a son?  In our day we can tell the difference. But in the days of the Roman Empire, children had very little freedom; they were told what to do, not only by their fathers, but others set over them.  But as they matured, the distinctions became increasingly clear, and ultimately, the son became the heir, with all the rights and privileges thereof.  In a spiritual sense, life apart from Christ is slavery - be it to manmade rules, or those of this fallen sinful world. At times, we wonder if we are any different than non-believers. But when we mature, grow up in our faith, and learn to obey God lovingly and freely in Christ, we appreciate the difference; we get out of "elementary school".  Some day we look forward to "graduation day", when we will receive the fullness of blessings we have as heirs together with Christ.