Born as a Full-Fledged Child of God
“He came to his own, and those who were his own didn’t receive him. But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God’s children, to those who believe in his name: who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:11-13 WEB)
We were not just adopted into God’s family through legal papers.
We were born of God, to take on His divine nature, so that we are indisputably His children.
There was once when the apostle Paul was arrested in Jerusalem. He was interrogated, and the commanding officer asked him if he (Paul) was a Roman.
At that time, the law was that Roman citizens could not be punished without first having a fair trial. There were perks of citizenship.
“When the centurion heard it, he went to the commanding officer and told him, “Watch what you are about to do, for this man is a Roman!” The commanding officer came and asked him, “Tell me, are you a Roman?” He said, “Yes.” The commanding officer answered, “I bought my citizenship for a great price.” Paul said, “But I was born a Roman.” Immediately those who were about to examine him departed from him, and the commanding officer also was afraid when he realized that he was a Roman, because he had bound him.” (Acts 22:26-29 WEB)
The commanding officer bought his Roman citizenship at a high price, thus making him a Roman through the legal system.
However, Paul who was born in Tarsus, was a Roman by birth. No one can dispute citizenship by birth.
When the commanding officer and his subordinates realized that Paul was a Roman by birth, they were afraid and departed from him.
On a previous occasion, Paul was beaten with rods and stripes because he kept quiet and did not say that he was a Roman. He had the right to the kingdom’s protection, but he did not use it.
“But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us publicly, without a trial, men who are Romans, and have cast us into prison! Do they now release us secretly? No, most certainly, but let them come themselves and bring us out!”” (Acts 16:37 WEB)
Many Christians are like Paul who kept silent and just took the beatings. They do not use their authority and status as a son of the Most High.
Perhaps they feel like they were reluctantly adopted through a legal system, and are not truly God’s children. They still feel like orphans and not heirs.
However, God’s word assures us that we are born of God, and have become a new creation in Christ. Our human spirit and the Holy Spirit have joined to become one divine spirit.
“Or don’t you know that he who is joined to a prostitute is one body? For, “The two”, he says, “will become one flesh.” But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit.” (1 Corinthians 6:16-17 WEB)
You are a already full-fledged son of God and not just a servant on probation.
When the enemy comes to beat you with rods and stripes of condemnation, to try and put you into bondage, rise up and use your God-given authority.
Declare these powerful truths: “In Christ, I have been reborn as a child of God, and a citizen of Heaven. Abba God, I receive Your protection, deliverance, and favor in my situation. By the blood of Christ that was shed at the cross, I have been set free from every Satanic stronghold and yoke. Where the Holy Spirit is, there is freedom. I have been set free in Jesus’ name, amen!”
God has given us powerful weapons to deal with the enemy. Whenever the serpent comes with lies and intimidation, you can silence the voice of this accuser and emerge victorious in spiritual warfare. Be trained in this through my eBook “Silencing the Serpent”: https://bit.ly/silence-the-serpent-now
