The last aspect of Christ’s finished work that we will cover is what I call sonship. It derives from the new birth and conveys that believers have been given the responsibilities, rights, privileges, and authority that come with our being sons of God. All born again believers, both male and female, are spiritual sons because the Spirit of God’s Son lives inside us.

For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. Romans 8:15–17 (NASB95) —

Our new identity is “in Christ,” who is God’s only begotten Son. This is not a gender issue but a spiritual identity. If females feel uncomfortable with identifying as a “son,” perhaps they will be comforted that men must learn to see themselves as the “bride of Christ.” We are all sons because in Christ spiritually speaking there is neither male nor female.

For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise. Galatians 3:27–29 (NASB95) —

This resurrection reality does not mean that the anatomical, physiological, and psychological differences between men and women have been obliterated. Rather, it speaks of the new spiritual reality that will become completely manifested in the resurrection.

But Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures nor the power of God. 30 “For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. Matthew 22:29–30 (NASB95) —

Resurrected people do not become angels, but they become like angels, their new bodies having properties and abilities like angels. Paul spoke of this new reality as being “one new man” in Christ.

But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, 15 by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, 16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. 17 AND HE CAME AND PREACHED PEACE TO YOU WHO WERE FAR AWAY, AND PEACE TO THOSE WHO WERE NEAR; 18 for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. Ephesians 2:13–18 (NASB95) —

Since our present earthly reality, however, involves our being either male and female, it is usually less complicated to think of ourselves as children of God rather than sons.

As God’s children, we have been given enormous privileges and authority related to sonship.

See how very much our heavenly Father loves us, for he allows us to be called his children, and we really are! But the people who belong to this world don't know God, so they don't understand that we are his children. 2 Yes, dear friends, we are already God's children, and we can't even imagine what we will be like when Christ returns. But we do know that when he comes we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. 1 John 3:1-2 (NLT)

Being God’s sons and daughters gives us responsibilities as his representatives here on earth.

In Biblical times, the oldest son was charged with running family affairs when his appointed time came. Jesus is our elder brother who already has been given complete authority, but He shares this responsibility with us along with the commensurate authority to do the job.

Our eternal destiny as children of God is to reign with Christ.

The following verse illustrates this, even though it is couched in symbolic language.

Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years. Revelation 20:6 (NASB95) —

Whether or not we believe that his promise refers to a literal one thousand year reign or the church age in which we now live, the truth is that we shall or do reign with Christ. Jesus shares his authority with his brothers and sisters in the Lord who are children of God via the new birth.

Because we are in Christ, that which is true of him is also true for us, minus his divinity. We have been blessed with every spiritual blessing, including God’s authority, in Christ.

Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. Colossians 3:1–4 (NASB95) —

Since our eternal destiny is to rule with Christ, our time here on earth is partially a training ground for us to learn to use Christ’s authority.

For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. Romans 5:17 (NASB95) —

We use this authority when we speak in his name. When we proclaim the gospel, we tell people that God will forgive and give them eternal life, if they put their faith in Christ and surrender to his lordship. Who gave us  authority to say such things? God. We also have authority to “proclaim liberty to captives.” (Luke 4:18) This includes casting out demons and healing the sick. Every believer should become comfortable doing these things as God’s representative. One day we will judge angels; so, we should become comfortable making spiritual judgments regarding practical things here on earth, too.

When one of you has a dispute with another believer, how dare you file a lawsuit and ask a secular court to decide the matter instead of taking it to other believers! 2  Don’t you realize that someday we believers will judge the world? And since you are going to judge the world, can’t you decide even these little things among yourselves? 3  Don’t you realize that we will judge angels? So you should surely be able to resolve ordinary disputes in this life. 1 Corinthians 6:1-3 (NLT) 

Being God’s children gives us the responsibility to properly represent Christ, and it also has its privileges.

As his beloved children, we have access to the Father’s throne and heart.

God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11  This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord. 12  Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence. Ephesians 3:10-12 (NLT) 

Our Lord Jesus dwells in the “bosom” of the Father. I liken this to a child sitting on his Father’s lap, a place of safety, intimacy, and privilege. Since we are “in Christ,” we are also seated there at all times. (John 1:18) We have access to our Father’s heart as beloved children. There is nothing greater than that!

As his children, we have a place in His kingdom family forever.

A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. John 8:35 (NLT) 

We eat at the Father’s table and carry His name. We have been given honor and authority in Christ. Truly we are the most privileged of people!

The rights and authority we have as sons of God relate to that which has been given to us in Christ. However we now experience only a small part of what will one day be given to us when our full sonship will be revealed at the resurrection.

So you should not be like cowering, fearful slaves. You should behave instead like God's very own children, adopted into his family—calling him "Father, dear Father." 16 For his Holy Spirit speaks to us deep in our hearts and tells us that we are God's children. 17 And since we are his children, we will share his treasures—for everything God gives to his Son, Christ, is ours, too. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering. 18 Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will give us later. 19 For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. 20 Against its will, everything on earth was subjected to God's curse. 21 All creation anticipates the day when it will join God's children in glorious freedom from death and decay. 22 For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 And even we Christians, although we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, also groan to be released from pain and suffering. We, too, wait anxiously for that day when God will give us our full rights as his children, including the new bodies he has promised us. 24 Now that we are saved, we eagerly look forward to this freedom. For if you already have something, you don't need to hope for it. 25 But if we look forward to something we don't have yet, we must wait patiently and confidently. Romans 8:15-25 (NLT)

When we believers receive our full rights and privileges of sonship at the resurrection, the whole creation will be released from the bondage to death and decay that sin inaugurated. To be a son (or daughter) of God is the greatest privilege imaginable. We will be greatly helped on our discipleship journey if we remember that this is our core identity.

Click here to see the other articles in this series.

Questions for Further Study and Discussion

• As Christ’s representatives here on earth, we carry his authority. In what areas do you feel that you need to grow in your ability, competence, or faith to do that?
  • Announcing the good news and forgiveness of sins?
  • Casting out demons?
  • Healing the sick?
  • Raising the dead?
  • Rebuking and correcting recalcitrant sinners?
  • Pronouncing judgments?
  • Discriminating (judging) between that which is good and that which is not?
  • Binding and loosing?
  • Commanding nature?