"You are a Child of God"

"You are a Child of God"

"For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, 'Abba! Father!' The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him."
Romans 8:14–17
It is extremely important that we understand all the benefits of being born again. When we receive Jesus as our Savior and Lord, we do not immediately understand everything about the Bible. We must renew our minds, and part of that renewal includes understanding that we are children of God.
When God uses the term "sons," He is referring to all of humanity. It means that we are all children and heirs of His inheritance, whether male or female. Scripture repeatedly tells us that we are sons of God and coheirs with Christ. We often read those words, think, "That's nice," and move on. But let me explain what that really means.
My wife and I have an adopted daughter. Once the adoption was complete, the state sent us a new birth certificate. It reads: Ashley Nicole Billon, born this day to Wayne and Cathy Billon. That's right—it declares her to be our birth child.
That is how adoption worked in ancient Israel. When someone was adopted, they were considered an equal heir alongside all their siblings, with all the same rights and privileges. When the Hebrews read these Scriptures, they knew exactly what they meant.
Stop for a moment and meditate on what this passage says. Think about all of heaven and all of creation—everything that belongs to God—and realize that all of it is part of your inheritance. Jesus is the Son of God, and we are children of God. That makes Jesus our Brother in the eyes of God. It may sound sacrilegious, but that is exactly what the Scriptures teach and what the Hebrews would have understood.
God loves us so much that He calls us His children, and we are entitled to every privilege that comes with being His sons and daughters. You are a coheir with Jesus in the Kingdom of God. How awesome is that?
Your God is an awesome God, and He loves you that much! You should be greatly encouraged by these Scriptures. Go about your day knowing that you have a great inheritance. And here's the amazing part: your inheritance is not based on your perfection. That does not mean you can live however you please without concern for obedience or devotion to your Father. Rather, it means that Christ's finished work is sufficient, and when you stumble, His grace remains available. God loves you deeply. Continue in your commitment to serve Him.
Prayer
Father God, it is amazing that You love me so much that You call me Your child. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, help me understand how real that truth is. As I meditate on what it means to be a child of God, make it clear to me so that I can walk with my head held high and with complete confidence, knowing that I am a coheir with Jesus Christ in Your Kingdom. You are an awesome God, and You love me just as I am while continuing to transform me into who You created me to be. I thank You, in Jesus' name. Amen.