It matters that we have a right understanding of who we
are because of whose we are.
“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus…And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His son into your hearts, crying out, ‘Abba, Father!’ Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son,
then an heir of God through Christ.”
Galatians 3:26; 4:6-7 NKJV
Jesus was not a servant who aspired to be a son, He is the Son who chose to serve. Jesus was not a servant working His way up the ladder. In the incarnation, Jesus is fully God. Pre-existent, eternal, the one by whom and for whom all things were created. He is the King of Glory. Which makes it all the more remarkable that He chose to be a servant. He was not in a position of weakness trying to earn the Father’s favour, it was already His.
The implications for us are liberating. He has decreed that all who follow Jesus in faith are also sons (& daughters), children of the most high. We don’t have to earn that position, we couldn’t if we tried. Our hearts have been indwelled with the same Spirit that was in Christ. Therefore, His Spirit within cries out in all accuracy and honesty, ABBA, Father. It is the spirit of man that draws back in unworthy self-loathing, it is the Spirit of God that says, “NO, you are a son (you are a daughter)!”
The change was brought about by God’s initiative not our own. It is not simply an act of false humility to resist our inheritance, it is unbelief. On the cross the price was paid and issue settled. “For you are all sons (and daughters) of God through faith in Christ Jesus.”
That changes everything – if we let it! No need to try an earn the Father’s love – it is ours unconditionally – all we have to do is love God and do all we can to protect that love.
adapted from a blog by Ps Larry Taylor