SONSHIP
Another promise concerning salvation is that of becoming a child of God.
2Cor 6:18 "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."
Not everyone is a child of God, but only those of the faith. A person is not born of God until he believes in Jesus.
Gal 3:26 "You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus."
After a person believes in Jesus, he is given the right to become a child of God.
John 1:12,13 "as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."
For it was God's plan that those who believe in him will become sons of God.
Eph 1:5 "he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—"
Notice that it speaks of being "adopted" here, as it says in other places (Rom 8:15; Rom 8:23; Gal 4:5) For we are not sons of God in the exact same sense as Jesus is the Son of God. For he is by very nature God, and as such is to be worshipped, being the Creator and LORD. But we are created beings. Thus our sonship in one sense is like an adoption. But adopted children are treated equally with one's natural children. On the other hand becoming a child of God is more than an adoption. For an adoption only affects one's status, but being born of God affects much more than one's status. For being born of God affects one's inner nature which ultimately will result in complete sanctification in the presence of God.
Such an effect begins to occur the moment one is born of God. For it is written, "Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother." 1John 3:9,10 And thus there are visible indications of one having been born of God. (I will elaborate upon this later)
The idea of being a child of God also expresses the intimacy one has with God. And children of God also have certain rights and privileges not shared by others.
Gal 4:5-7 "when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, <"Abba>, Father." So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir."
Rom 8:17 "Now if we are children, then we are heirs— heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ"
Sonship also gives one a perspective on the disciplines which one experiences in life which lead to sanctification.
"you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son." Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? ... Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." Heb 12:5-7,10-11
Another promise concerning salvation is that of becoming a child of God.
2Cor 6:18 "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."
Not everyone is a child of God, but only those of the faith. A person is not born of God until he believes in Jesus.
Gal 3:26 "You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus."
After a person believes in Jesus, he is given the right to become a child of God.
John 1:12,13 "as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."
For it was God's plan that those who believe in him will become sons of God.
Eph 1:5 "he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—"
Notice that it speaks of being "adopted" here, as it says in other places (Rom 8:15; Rom 8:23; Gal 4:5) For we are not sons of God in the exact same sense as Jesus is the Son of God. For he is by very nature God, and as such is to be worshipped, being the Creator and LORD. But we are created beings. Thus our sonship in one sense is like an adoption. But adopted children are treated equally with one's natural children. On the other hand becoming a child of God is more than an adoption. For an adoption only affects one's status, but being born of God affects much more than one's status. For being born of God affects one's inner nature which ultimately will result in complete sanctification in the presence of God.
Such an effect begins to occur the moment one is born of God. For it is written, "Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother." 1John 3:9,10 And thus there are visible indications of one having been born of God. (I will elaborate upon this later)
The idea of being a child of God also expresses the intimacy one has with God. And children of God also have certain rights and privileges not shared by others.
Gal 4:5-7 "when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, <"Abba>, Father." So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir."
Rom 8:17 "Now if we are children, then we are heirs— heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ"
Sonship also gives one a perspective on the disciplines which one experiences in life which lead to sanctification.
"you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son." Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? ... Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." Heb 12:5-7,10-11
