Sonship

There are so many lies out there about God the Father, God the Holy Spirit and God Jesus. I bet even when you read that kind of triune God nomenclature you turn your head slightly and ponder. I know I have struggled with who God is and what is He like in His various forms or identities. Even now I am trusting God to show me what is true and what a lie is. It is so important to understand the difference between truth and lie because this is where the enemy really likes to hang out. It has always been a battle in our mind. The enemy has been deceiving and questioning our beliefs from the very beginning. His first set of lies began with “did God really say?” He called into questions our very nature. We were created in God’s image, in His likeness and the devil challenged that truth. When we ate from the tree we opened up ourselves to self-inspired intellect instead of God supplied truth. So I say we go after some truth.

How about sonship? Even the spell checker doesn’t know that word but you will find it in your Bible. Here are a couple of references from the AMP:

Romans 8:15 For [the Spirit which] you have now received [is] not a spirit of slavery to put you once more in bondage to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption [the Spirit producing sonship] in [the bliss of] which we cry, Abba (Father)! Father! (AMP)

Romans 8:19 For [even the whole] creation (all nature) waits expectantly and longs earnestly for God’s sons to be made known [waits for the revealing, the disclosing of their sonship]. (AMP)

Galatians 4:5 To purchase the freedom of (to ransom, to redeem, to atone for) those who were subject to the Law, that we might be adopted and have sonship conferred upon us [and be recognized as God’s sons]. (AMP)

Hebrews 1:5 For to which of the angels did [God] ever say, You are My Son, today I have begotten You [established You in an official Sonship relation, with kingly dignity]? And again, I will be to Him a Father, and He will be to Me a Son? (AMP)

Here is an easy way to see sonship. Imagine God’s house. Use whatever image works for you whether it is a mansion or a cabin or a castle or whatever. Now imagine the room God is in. Of course He is everywhere but for this exercise do you see God in His easy chair or on a throne or sitting on a couch? Again just go with the idea. Now you see Jesus walk into the room. Can you see it? What does God do? What is His reaction to Jesus walking in? I can see Him giving Jesus a huge hug. They really love each other. Actually I can see God so excited to see Jesus He is overcome by emotion. He really loves His son so much. Everything Jesus has ever done has been absolute perfection to His Dad. He is really proud of Jesus. They have memories and stories to share that go back and forward through all eternity. That’s a cool picture, right?

To me that is sonship. There is such a bond between Father and Son that there is nothing withheld between them. They share in love, emotion, relationship and resources. God holds nothing back from His Son. It is the perfect picture of family. Now in walks the Holy Spirit. It is like a family reunion. Can’t you see them all smiling and laughing? Holy Spirit says to Jesus, “remember that time I showed Peter who you are? That was fun.” Jesus says back “yep but how about that time you made the boy’s lunch a feast for so many?” Then Father says “you guys are such an awesome team. I love to see you together.” Then Holy Spirit and Jesus say at the same time “we couldn’t have done it without you.” And they look at each other and say “jinks.”

Now you walk into the room. What happens? Are you hearing the lies? Here is the truth. It is even better than when Jesus walked into the room! They all jump up to give you a hug. They are so excited. They start telling all these stories about you. Jesus looks to Holy Spirit and says “remember that time that Lance was confused on that test, and how you stepped in to remind him of the answer?” Holy Spirit says “yeah but what about that time he wanted to learn about surrender and you gave him that dream?” And then Father says “that is exciting but do you remember what I said when he was born, MY SON!”
Check out this verse:

Luke 15:22 But the father said to his servants [slaves], ‘Hurry! Bring the best clothes [first/best robe; either the father’s own, or a ceremonial robe for an honored guest] and put them on him. Also, put a ring on his finger [probably a signet ring indicating sonship and authority; Gen. 41:42] and sandals on his feet [slaves went barefoot]. (EXP)

Do you know that the son in the story was always a son? God made us all to be His children. He is just waiting for us to believe that truth and know that it is possible because of what Jesus has done. God sees you like He sees Jesus. We really have to get that. Your performance has nothing to do with your sonship. Did the father in the prodigal story ever question if his son was still his son? Did he lay down a bunch of conditionals for family re-entry? NO. This is how God sees you just like the son in the story. Your born-again identity makes this truth your reality.

This has been God’s plan all along. He desperately wants His children in His family. All of what Jesus did was to redeem us back to the intended status, not only that, but to become His dwelling place. Check out these verses.

Eph 2:19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens,but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. (ESV)

The price has been paid. To God you are just like His Son Jesus. He can’t hold anything back from you. That would be Him saying that Jesus didn’t do enough. We were always intended to be in the family. We aren’t some estranged cousin or annoying servant. We are His kids and He really loves His kids. I say we add the word sonship to our dictionaries and believe how awesome our Abba is.

Yay God

Lance