Last week, Jason shared the story of how the meaning of his grandfather’s words, “be proud of who you are,” eluded him as a child and on into adulthood. Almost 30 years after those words were spoken, God revealed to Jason the meaning, the fact that he was a child of God.
But what does that mean? And what makes it so special?
A good friend of ours from Mozambique, was recently in the U.S. for ministry with our non-profit organization, Hope of a Nation. While speaking to the congregation of our home church, he gave a powerful illustrative example that I would like to share with you.
During his first trip to the U.S. many years ago, it was his first time on a long flight. As the flight attendants made their way through the cabin, offering the passengers their meals, he politely refused, stating that he was not hungry. As one of them came back by, she offered a beverage, and he refused again to which she said, “Sir, why are you not eating? The food is included in your ticket.” Learning this, he joyfully accepted the food and drink that she offered. He then proceeded to share with the congregation that when we don’t know our rights, we can miss a lot of things, and it’s the same way in our walk with Christ.
As a child of God (one of the redeemed who has accepted Christ as our savior and repented of our former sinful ways), we have many rights, gifts, and privileges. They are numerous, far more than I can write about in one post. So, for now, I will share with you a portion of the inheritance we have as God’s children.
Intimacy in Relationship
Christ (the Son), God (the Father), and the Holy Spirit are three distinct persons in one. So, when God sent His Son, Jesus, He was, in essence, sending Himself. It is very hard to wrap our minds around this because there is no one like Him. He exists outside of space and time, yet, we can have an intimate relationship with Him. He paid our sin debt so that He could spend eternity with us. He wants a relationship with us!
The Old Testament recounts how the Jewish people had to atone for their sins through regular sacrifices, and that they could not enter the temple where God’s spirit dwelled. But because of Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross, we have the incredible opportunity to commune with God. When we believe in the saving work of Jesus, His righteousness is applied to us, so that we can have an intimate relationship with the Father. His very spirit dwells within us!
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
– Hebrews 4:15-16
Abundant Life Here on Earth
We have access to living an abundant life, which is rooted in righteousness.
Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
– John 10:10
When we are saved, we receive the Holy Spirit to help us in our sanctification process. He teaches us to live a more righteous life, to conduct ourselves to be more like our Savior. As we grow in our relationship with the Lord and put into practice what we learn from His Word, we begin to experience an abundant and fulfilling life.
For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
– Galatians 5:5-6
Living an abundant life includes learning to forgive others, and learning to walk in the fruits of His spirit:
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
– Matthew 6:14
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
– Galatians 5:22-25
Loving Discipline
Good parents discipline their children in a loving and teaching way, and sometimes that means allowing their children to learn from a lesser pain or mistake to prevent far greater pain in the future. We have the privilege of being disciplined by our loving Heavenly Father who cares for us deeply and wants what is best for us.
They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order 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.
– Hebrews 12:10-11
This discipline changes us and prepares us for the work God has called us to do.
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
– 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Authority & Power
Just as a prince or princess of an earthly kingdom would carry the authority from the king or queen, we carry the authority of our Father over evil, and we have been given power through His Holy Spirit to complete the assignment He has commissioned us with: telling others the good news about Jesus.
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
- Matthew 28:18-19
And He called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases…
– Luke 9:1
Truly, truly I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.
– John 14:12
Security & Assurance Through Everlasting Life
Every human being, except Jesus Christ, has sinned. The penalty for sin is death and eternal separation from our Heavenly Father, but when we accept Jesus’s substitutionary sacrifice as payment for our sin, we are pardoned. As children of God, we have the single greatest gift imaginable, the security of eternal life with Him. We also have the assurance that once we give our life to Him and live for Him, we are His forever.
Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.”
– John 10:27-28
While this list has by no means been exhaustive, it includes some of the main highlights of our inheritance as children of God. I would like to encourage you to meditate on these things and ask God to speak to your heart and give you an even greater understanding of who He is and who you are in Christ.
