You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. —Galatians 3:26-27.
Paul’s words are radical. When he wrote them, women didn’t have the rights of honor and heirship that sons did. This verse, however, declares all followers of Jesus, men and women, have the rights of sonship and heirship. We are children of God, with all the rights and honors of full heirs! Our faith, expressed in our baptism, declares to the world that we are God’s children, his sons by right. It doesn’t matter if we are young or old, rich or poor, male or female, bond or free; we have chosen to be clothed in Christ and his righteousness. We do not depend on earning our own salvation. It is given us along with our heirship. He is our salvation and hope. He is our life and strength. He is our older brother and Savior. He is our Lord.