JESUS THE SON OF GOD AND CHRISTIANS AS CHILDREN OF GOD

Galatians 3:23-29; 4:1-7

In several places in the New Testament, Jesus is referred to as the Son of God. For example, at his baptism, God’s voice declared: “This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased”. Again, during his transfiguration, a similar declaration was made by God. Furthermore, Peter in his great confession described Jesus as the “Son of the Living God”. These are just few out of the many occasions when Jesus was described as the Son of God. Jesus’ circumstances of birth, life, ministry, death, resurrection and ascension clearly bestow on him the status of the Son of God.

The term “Son of God” is the messianic title given to Jesus Christ representing his divine deity. The term “Son of Man” shows his human deity. The title also links him with his earthly ministry. Jesus is identified with God in activity; for example he declared to the Jews: “if God were your fathers, you would love me … I came not on my accord but he sent me” (John 8:42). This is also recorded in John 14:10- “Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father in me. The words that I say to you; I do not speak on my own authority but the father who dwells in me does his words”.

In the light of this, the title “Son of God” shows that he is one with God in being, in nature and that he is unique in his origin. He was with God before becoming flesh in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. He taught us to call God “Our Father” (Matt 6:9).

Can christians also be called Sons of God? What qualifies them for attaining such a status as Jesus? Mere right of creation and our relationship with God do not automatically bestow on us the status of Sons of God. By virtue of our being sinners, we are automatically disqualified. One becomes son of God through the special action of the Holy Spirit of God in the lives of those who commit their lives to Christ.

 

Qualification Through Faith- Galatians 3 :23-29

Before faith came, we were held prisoners by the Law. We were under lock and key, with Law as the padlock, until faith was revealed. In the light of this therefore, we are no longer under the supervision of the Law, neither are we its prisoners.

Through our faith in Jesus Christ, we are automatically sons of God as we were baptized into Christ and clothed with him. By baptism we died and resurrected with him. There are no divisions inside Christ: no Jews, no Greeks; slaves nor freemen; male nor female. Rather, we are all one in Christ. To know Jesus is to know God. Those who are led by the spirit of God are sons of God. Flesh has no dominion over us. If we are sons of God, then we are heirs by faith to the kingdom of God and God is going to supply all our needs through Jesus Christ. In the light of this, brethren in Christ are to love one another and work together in unity.

 

Qualification By Redemption -Galatians 4:1-7

As children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world because we were sinners. However, when the time was ripe, God sent His Son Jesus Christ to redeem us from the Law so we might receive full rights as sons. We are now dead to sin and consequently reborn into a new life in Christ which makes us sons and heirs to God’s blessings. We are sons, God sent the spirit of His Son into our hearts calling “Abba” (Father).

 

Summary

1. God is the father of all christians through the Lord Jesus Christ.
2. Jesus as the Son of God speaks of his deity as God the Son, while Jesus as the Son of man speaks of his identification with human beings.
3. Christians are therefore related because of their one Lord and father; there is no difference between them for all are one in Christ.
4. Jesus is the Son of God upon which the church is built.