Living as a Son

August, 2008

by: Brad Kelley

“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household” (Eph 2:19)

When my daughter became engaged and then was married, one of the things I immediately noticed was how anxious my son-in-law was to demonstrate his dedication to his new family. Whenever we were doing dishes after a meal or working on a project he was there, interested and participating. Needless to say, this was very endearing and helped to create a climate where we have grown ever closer as a family. I call him “son” and he calls me “Dad” and that’s the basis of everything else about our relationship.

In the 8th chapter of Romans Paul writes that when we are saved we are adopted into God’s family and we become brothers of Christ and sons of God. We call Him Dad (“Abba”) and He calls us sons and that is the basis of everything else about our relationship.

By way of contrast, we expect little of the stranger or alien other than that they behave themselves. This was especially true of the young men who dated my daughter. But sons are a different matter. There is an expectation that they will think and act as a member of family and perform acts of love which are a blessing and a credit to it. Sons understand that some day they stand to gain an inheritance. Paul points to this in Romans 8 when he says that sons of God are “fellow heirs with Christ.”

Are you a son of God? Do you want to know more about your eternal Father and to serve Him? Ask yourself how you feel about other members of God’s family. Do you want to be with them, to encourage, help and support them? Do you look for ways to demonstrate your love through service and giving? May we all act as sons of God who love Him and those who are of His household.