February 25th
3The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. 5For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father”? Or again, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son”? 6And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says,” Let all God’s angels worship him.”7In speaking of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, his servants flames of fire.”8But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom. 9You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.” Hebrews 1:3-9 NIV
13For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, 14because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Romans 8:13-16 NIV
“You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus” Galatians 3:26 NIV
Our faith in Jesus Christ entitles us to a very special name: “son of God.” Jesus was the first man to bear the title of “Son” and from the Hebrews passage above we can get an idea of what that title meant. Angels, as awesome and powerful as they are, are subordinate to the Son of God. In fact, they worship him. The Son’s throne will endure forever.
Paul affirmed in Romans and Galatians that our faith in Jesus entitles us to the title of “son of God.” Regardless of whether we are male or female, the title connects us as heirs to God’s kingdom through the first “Son,” Jesus. Our mission as sons is to use our inherited authority in Christ to take spiritual dominion over the earth. Where Adam failed to complete his mission of subduing the earth (Genesis 1:28), we are to use our Christ-won dominion to reclaim the earth for God’s kingdom.
We face opposition to fulfilling this mission from the current ruler of the world, Satan. John wrote, “We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one” (1 John 5:19 NIV). Satan knows that his time is limited as ruler of the world, and he seeks to stave off his overthrow by sabotaging as many sons of God as possible. He taps into our own sinful desires in attempt to entice us to hand over our Christ-won dominion by sinning. If we sin, we forfeit our freedom and become slaves to sin (John 8:34; Romans 6:16).
If we’ve blown it in life and have been living as a slave instead of a son of God, there is good news for us. God has provided a way for us to walk in purity, free from “sin slavery,” and to reclaim our dominion over sin. God has sent the Holy Spirit to live in us and empower us to put our sinful desires to death. The Holy Spirit gives us life and power to live in the “newness of life” (Romans 6:4 NKJV) and reassume our designed roles as sons of God. We need no longer walk in slavery to the former passions. We can now walk as sons of God and enjoy all the benefits and privileges thereof.
Here is a verse you can start claiming in faith today: “Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ” (Galatians 4:7 NKJV).
Questions for further thought:
As the Son of God, what was Jesus’ attitude toward righteousness and wickedness? (Hebrews 1:9) As a son of God, are there any attitudes that you need to adjust to be in line with Jesus’ attitudes?
What are some practical ways you can start taking spiritual dominion of the portion of the world God has entrusted to you? (e.g. family, workplace, neighborhood, etc.)
What happens if we live by our sinful nature instead of following the Holy Spirit? (Romans 8:13)
What does it confirm about us when we follow the Holy Spirit and obey his promptings? (Romans 8:14)
Prayer:
“Heavenly Father, Thank you for giving me a divine inheritance through my faith in Jesus. Thank you for adopting me as a son of God! Please forgive me for the love of sin that I have tolerated in my life. I confess my sin now to you: __________ (list). Please forgive me and cleanse me from this sin by the blood of Jesus. I commit myself to living in obedience to the Holy Spirit and moving into my destiny as a son of God. Please help me recognize the areas of influence that I have and help me to reclaim them for your kingdom. Thank you, Father! In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.”