by Ester yusufu | 19 July 2018 08:46 pm07
(Understanding Our Identity and Inheritance in Christ)
1 John 3:1
“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.”
God, in His divine wisdom, designed human life to begin with childhood and mature into adulthood, often including the role of parenting. This natural experience helps us understand the spiritual reality of God as our Father and we as His children.
This familial language is not metaphorical—it reflects our new nature in Christ. God is not just a judge or creator to us—He is our Abba Father (Romans 8:15).
The concept of “sonship” in the Bible is both legal (adoption) and relational (intimacy). When we are born again, we are not only forgiven but adopted into God’s family with full rights and access (cf. Ephesians 1:5).
Hebrews 1:5
“For to which of the angels did He ever say: ‘You are My Son, today I have begotten You’? And again: ‘I will be to Him a Father, and He shall be to Me a Son’?”
Hebrews 1:14
“Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?”
No angel has ever been called “son” by God. Angels are created as servants, but believers are adopted as sons and daughters. This shows the supremacy of our identity in Christ over spiritual beings.
Through union with Christ—the only begotten Son—we become heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17). This is the mystery of divine grace.
Just as earthly children depend on their parents, spiritual children are called to depend entirely on God. True faith is not about striving, but about trusting in God’s love and provision.
Matthew 6:25–26
“Do not worry about your life… Look at the birds of the air… your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”
Jesus taught that childlike trust is a key mark of the Kingdom. As children of God, we are to walk by faith, knowing our Father knows and meets our needs.
Dependence on God is not irresponsibility—it is faith expressing itself through rest and obedience (Hebrews 4:9-11). We trust because He is faithful.
Romans 8:15–16
“You received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.”
The Holy Spirit is the divine witness of our adoption. He doesn’t just assure us—we feel, know, and experience the truth that God is our Father. This intimate cry—“Abba!”—is a relational term like “Daddy.”
Galatians 4:6
“Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, ‘Abba, Father!’”
The Spirit of adoption is a legal declaration and a spiritual experience. We are no longer slaves (to sin or fear), but sons (with authority and access)—Galatians 4:7.
Romans 8:14
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.”
The evidence of true sonship is not just words or knowledge—it is a Spirit-led life. A child of God listens to the voice of the Father, just like Jesus did (John 5:19).
Sonship comes with responsibility—submission to the will of God. Being a son means living under His guidance, discipline (Hebrews 12:6), and love.
John 1:12
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.”
We are not born children of God by default (John 1:13). We become children of God by receiving Christ—through repentance and faith. This is a supernatural birth.
1 Peter 1:23
“Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever.”
Sonship is a result of the new birth (regeneration). Without being born again, we remain outsiders (John 3:3).
Matthew 18:3
“Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Jesus wasn’t calling for immaturity but for a heart posture of humble dependence, trust, and obedience.
Kingdom greatness is measured by childlikeness, not by power or pride. God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).
Matthew 16:16–18
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus answered… “On this rock I will build My church.”
The Church is not built on Peter, but on the revelation that Jesus is the Son of God—and that in Him, we are also made sons (Ephesians 1:5; Romans 8:29).
The identity of Jesus as Son reveals our identity in Him. Through the Son, we gain access to the Father, and the Church becomes a household of sons (Ephesians 2:19).
If you’ve received Jesus Christ:
You are no longer a spiritual orphan (John 14:18)
You are loved, accepted, and adopted (Ephesians 1:5-6)
You have access to the Father (Hebrews 4:16)
You are an heir of God and co-heir with Christ (Romans 8:17)
So stop living like a slave, an outsider, or an anxious worker. You are a beloved child. Your Father is good, faithful, and present. Rest in Him, listen to Him, walk with Him.
Source URL: https://wingulamashahidi.org/en/2018/07/19/we-have-been-made-sons-of-god/
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