Living Proof: Being a Son of God!
The Power of God's Spirit
In a world fraught with uncertainty and challenges, the Bible offers us a profound truth: believers are called to be living proof of their divine sonship. As children of God filled with the Holy Spirit, we are called to manifest His power, love, and sound mind in our daily lives while eagerly anticipating the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Divine Adoption
When we receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour, we experience a spiritual rebirth. We become sons and daughters of God not merely in title, but in spiritual reality. As the Apostle John beautifully expresses it: "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not." (1 John 3:1 KJV)
This sonship isn't a distant theological concept but a present reality that transforms our identity. The Apostle Paul reinforces this truth when he writes: "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." (Romans 8:14-15 KJV)
Our adoption into God's family comes with privileges and responsibilities. We are heirs with Christ, sharing in both His sufferings and His glory. "And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." (Romans 8:17 KJV)
Filled with the Holy Spirit
Being a son of God means being filled with the Holy Spirit. On the day of Pentecost, the early disciples were "all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." (Acts 2:4 KJV) This marked the beginning of a new era where God's Spirit would dwell within believers, empowering them for service.
Paul exhorts the Ephesian believers, "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit." (Ephesians 5:18 KJV) This filling enables us to walk in the Spirit and manifest the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.
The indwelling Holy Spirit transforms us from the inside out. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV) These qualities become living proof to the world that we are indeed children of God.
Fulfilling Our Calling in the Body of Christ
Each son of God has a specific calling within the body of Christ. Paul explains, "For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ." (1 Corinthians 12:12 KJV)
Our individual gifts and callings are not for self-glorification but for the edification of the entire body. "But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him." (1 Corinthians 12:18 KJV) Understanding and fulfilling our role is crucial for the health and growth of the church.
The diversity of gifts within the body of Christ demonstrates God's wisdom and creativity. "Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all." (1 Corinthians 12:4-6 KJV)
Living proof of our sonship is seen when we faithfully exercise our spiritual gifts to serve others. Peter admonishes us: "As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." (1 Peter 4:10 KJV)
Looking Forward to Christ's Return
A defining characteristic of sons of God is their eager anticipation of Christ's return. Jesus promised, "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." (John 14:3 KJV)
This blessed hope shapes our priorities and purifies our lives. As John writes, "And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure." (1 John 3:3 KJV) The expectation of Christ's return motivates us to live holy and godly lives in the present age.
The Apostle Paul describes this anticipation as active waiting: "For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself." (Philippians 3:20-21 KJV)
Practical Manifestations of Sonship
How does being a son of God filled with the Holy Spirit manifest practically? Here are several tangible ways:
- Through unwavering faith: "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." (1 John 5:4 KJV)
- Through sacrificial love: "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." (John 13:35 KJV)
- Through consistent prayer: "Pray without ceasing." (1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV)
- Through joyful worship: "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord." (Ephesians 5:19 KJV)
- Through bold witness: "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." (Acts 1:8 KJV)
- Through humble service: "For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another." (Galatians 5:13 KJV)
Living Proof in a Watching World
In a world searching for authenticity and truth, sons of God have the privilege and responsibility of being living proof of God's transforming power. Our lives should testify to the reality that we are indeed children of the Most High, filled with His Spirit, serving in His body, and eagerly awaiting His return.
As Peter reminds us, "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light." (1 Peter 2:9 KJV)
May our lives be compelling evidence—living proof—that we belong to God, that His Spirit dwells within us, that we are fulfilling our divine calling, and that we are citizens of a heavenly kingdom whose King is soon to return. "Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen." (Jude 1:24-25 KJV)
Key Takeaways:
- Divine Adoption: Through Christ, believers become sons and daughters of God, experiencing a spiritual rebirth and transformation of identity.
- Holy Spirit Empowerment: As children of God, we are filled with the Holy Spirit who transforms us from the inside out, producing spiritual fruit in our lives.
- Purposeful Service: Each believer has specific gifts and a calling within the body of Christ, designed to edify the church and glorify God.
- Hopeful Anticipation: Sons of God eagerly await Christ's return, a hope that shapes our priorities and purifies our lives.
- Practical Manifestations: Our sonship is demonstrated through unwavering faith, sacrificial love, consistent prayer, joyful worship, bold witness, and humble service.
- Living Testimony: Our lives should be compelling evidence—living proof—that we belong to God and are filled with His Spirit.
