Sons And Daughters

"But when [in God's plan] the proper time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the [regulations of the] Law, so that He might redeem and liberate those who were under the Law, that we [who believe] might be adopted as sons (and daughters)[as God's children with all rights as fully grown members of a family]. And because you [really] are [His] sons (and daughters), God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, 'Abba! Father!' Therefore you are no longer a slave (bond-servant), but a son (or daughter); and if a son (or daughter), then also an heir through [the gracious act of] God [through Christ]."
                                                                Galatians 4:4-7




Almost ten years ago, our family had the privilege of adopting a son into our family. Austin was twelve years old when he arrived at our doorstep and we welcomed him as one of our own. Because he was still young, we cared for him the way you would care for a child. Today, Austin is a fine young man who has completed his service in the military and is married to a beautiful young bride. Our relationship with him today is totally different than it was when he was still a child. While he has always been adopted and loved as one of our own, today he is treated as the mature young man that he has grown to be.

That is the message of the above verses. After we are "born again" (John 3:3), we begin our journey as children of God and then progress into becoming sons and daughters of God that are adult and mature and carry with us all the privileges of sonship. It has nothing to do with our chronological age and everything to do with our understanding of who God is and who we are relationally to Him.

It took time for Austin to understand his position in our family. There were lots of adjustments and explanations and reassurances. He had to be willing to get to know each of us and understand our hearts for him. He had to realize that he didn't have to prove himself to us or to earn our love. We were his family no matter what circumstances we might face together. This was a process that did not occur overnight and there were definitely growing pains along the way.

Our relationship with God evolves in a similar way. Initially, we are tempted to treat God as an impersonal Master instead of the Loving Father that He is to us. It takes us time to really know that with Him we are safe, we are known and loved, and that we are heirs of every good thing that God has appropriated for His sons and daughters. In fact, we are told that a son and a daughter of God is the owner of everything (Galatians 4:1).

A young child cannot manage and care for things the way that an adult can. Therefore, God patiently waits for us to grow up and mature. Many followers of Christ assume that they are mature but it requires the whole Trinity to develop us into true sons and daughters. A true son or daughter is one that has the same nature as the Father, whereas a child absolutely does not.

The apostle, Paul, tells us, "When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things" (1 Corinthians 13:11). We must intentionally put away the things in our lives that are childish. This includes our thoughts, our emotions, our reasoning, and our actions.

When the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within us, He will begin to teach us the parts of ourselves that are contrary to the nature of our Father. He will guide and instruct us and woo us into a genuine and loving relationship with God. Not one that is based out of legalism or fear, but, rather a relationship of unconditional acceptance and love.

It is love that will compel us to obey God's commandments and not fear. Once we really have God's love shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5), we desire to please God because of our love for Him. Jesus tells us, "If you love Me, keep My commandments" (John 14:15).

Once we are mature sons and daughters, then we also become heirs of Christ. That means that we not only have an eternal inheritance, but that we also can begin drawing from our inheritance now. We are wealthy beyond imagination and it is our Father's heart and desire that we begin to appropriate these blessings and utilize them to their fullest.

All of our riches are found in Christ. He has given us: the riches of His grace (Ephesians 1:7; 2:7), the riches of His glory (Philippians 4:19), the riches of His goodness (Romans 2:4), and the riches of His wisdom (Romans 11:33). God continually cares for us and provides for us, and His resources never run out!


We are still waiting for the completion of our adoption of Christ and that will not be fully complete until Jesus returns and redeems our physical bodies. In the interim, we are placed on this earth that waits and groans for the completion of this process. Paul tells us that "[the whole] creation (all nature) waits expectantly and longs earnestly for God's sons (and daughters) to be made known [waits for the revealing, the disclosing of their sonship]" (Romans 8:19).

There is a glory that will be revealed in the future! Hallelujah! In the meantime, we are called to grow and morph into the very nature of Christ, as well as to appropriate the rights, authority, and privileges that are ours as sons and daughters of Christ. God has given us everything we need for life and godliness and to effect change in the world around us. As the world gets darker, we must get brighter! Together, we can shine a light that will illuminate both heaven and earth. After all, we are the sons and daughters of God!


                              Happy Father's Day to all the Dad's in the world!!!
                            
                            Happy Father's Day to the Greatest Dad in the World!!!!


"giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints (God's people) in the Light."
                                                       (Colossians 1:12)