Sermon # 36- Privileges Of A Child Of God Series

Today’s meditation is based on Galatians 3:26, “It is through faith that all of you are God's children in union with Christ Jesus.” (GNB)

The above mentioned verse explains to us that everyone who has put their faith in Jesus Christ are children of God. We have the blessed privilege of being sons and daughters of the Almighty God who is the creator of heaven and earth.

One of the most exclusive relationships is that between a parent and a child. Most often parents would not like it if someone spoke ill of their children, because of the love they have for them, and the uniqueness of this relationship. So also, children who have a close relationship with their parents will be upset if anyone slandered their parents. This is a natural reaction and if there is no anger or annoyance expressed, we can be sure that there is something amiss in that relationship.

The relationship Jesus had with God the Father

When Jesus lived on this earth, He entered the temple at Jerusalem to find that the people were engaged in business, rather than in prayer or worship. This enraged Jesus so much for He proclaimed that this was His Father’s house, a house of prayer which had been made into a den of robbers. This was because of the intimate relationship that Jesus the Son of God had with God the Father, and the rights that were endowed on Him because of this intimate relationship. Jesus was zealous about the temple which belonged to God the Father, and was purely initiated to be a house of prayer for all people.

The rights to become God’s children

Only the God of the bible declares that anyone who puts their faith in Him, is accepted to be His sons and daughters, and God makes them His own.

We read about this John 1:12, “Some, however, did receive him and believed in him; so he gave them the right to become God's children.” (GNB)

All those who believed in the Lord Jesus, and received Him as Lord and Savior of their lives, are given the right to become His children, and are granted this esteemed position. This is an open invitation for everyone, and there is no barrier based on country, nationality, language or background. However, many who have accepted the Lord Jesus as their Savior have forgotten the privilege that is theirs because of this relationship.

It was to such a group of people that Paul had to write this way and remind them in Galatians 3:26, “It is through faith that all of you are God's children in union with Christ Jesus.” (GNB)

The purpose of this message is to help us comprehend who we really are, and the position that is ours as sons and daughters of the Most High God. We become children of God because we have put our faith in Jesus, and this truth must be deeply embedded in our hearts. God did not just call us to be His disciples, followers or ambassadors, but has called us to be His children.

Adam was created as the son of God

When God created Adam, He created him as His son because He desired that all of mankind should be His children. No wonder then that of all that God created, the only ones who were bestowed with His image and likeness were human beings. This is an entitlement lavished on us which we need to realize and value.

We read in Luke 3:38, “Cainan was the son of Enos. Enos was the son of Seth. Seth was the son of Adam. Adam was the son of God.” (ERV)

Interesting to note how Adam is referred to as the son of God. As sons and daughters of God there are many benefits and blessings. However, as children of God we must remember that though we have certain privileges from having this position, we also have certain responsibilities that we have to fulfill. So it is important that we understand both our benefits and our obligations as God’s children.

Let me give you an example of a person who is without job for a while, and then gets a good job in a government office. Once he gets the job, there are certain changes that he will need to make in his lifestyle in order to fulfill these responsibilities. If for instance he was used to sleeping late in the morning, and the job requires that he has to report to duty early in the morning, he certainly has to change his sleeping habits, to get to work on time. If for some reason he failed to fulfill the responsibilities entrusted to them, he will surely face the risk of losing his job.

The first privilege that I would like to share in this message is the confidence that we have as children of God. Let us look at some of the things that a child of God can be confident about.