Question submitted at 12.6.09 worship gathering.
Kenny Ellis' response...
I think this is an important question because it has to do with our identity –the way in which we view ourselves. I would point you to at least a few passages in the Bible that shed light on this question.The first is John 1:10-13. Here John tells us that those who believed (and would believe) in Jesus were given the right to become “children of God” and then he says we were “born of God”. So, there is a very real sense in which those who believe and follow Christ have entered into God’s family and assumed the identity of a true son or daughter. This is why Jesus could teach his disciples to pray “Our Father…” when they asked him how they should pray.
There is another passage in Romans 8:12-16 where the Apostle Paul tells us that those who are led by the Spirit of God are in fact, the sons and daughters of God. He goes on to say that the Holy Spirit, who lives within Jesus’ followers, compels us to relate to God as our “Abba, Father”, which was a term of intimate affection – similar to our use of the term “Daddy”. Interestingly, this is the same term that Jesus used when speaking to God. So, we are getting closer to the answer to your question.
The last passage is Hebrews 2:14-18 where the writer is helping us understand all the reasons why Jesus had to become completely human to achieve our salvation. In this passage the author says,”…he (Jesus) had to be made like his brothers in every way…”. That is a stunner – we are his brothers and sisters!
So, are you any less a son of God than Jesus? You certainly could get into some thick, complicated study of any differences there might be between your status as a child of God and that of Jesus. However, the overwhelming message of the Bible is that you are a son or daughter of God and therefore granted unbelievable privileges that your older brother, Jesus, has always enjoyed!
