05/09/2019
Once we have placed our faith in Jesus Christ, who are we then? Our transformation might be an amazing surprise to us, but it is far from surprising to God. He foresaw our adoption as sons and daughters from the very foundation of the world. Are you prepared to take on this life as one of God’s children? By our faith we have become the children of privilege who sit around the feet of God the Father, and receive His every blessing.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love”
Ephesians 1:3-4 ESV
Recently, a new child named Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor was born to prince Harry and Meghan... and into the royal bloodline of The British monarchy. The moment this child was born it changed the line of ascension to the throne of Britain... recasting the position of all those beneath him as he was inserted into his rightful place as seventh in line for the throne. Spiritually, and on a much grander scale, the same thing happens when we accept Jesus, and become a child of God.
“he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.”
Ephesians 1:5-6 ESV
Archie, the royal baby will forever be considered a part of the royal bloodline. In reality he did nothing to deserve this except to be born, yet he will benefit from the achievements, and in some cases suffering, of all those of royal heritage who have come before him. All he must do is accept who he is, and live accordingly. Being a child of God isn’t quite the same, but it does have similarities.
“In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,”
Ephesians 1:11-13 ESV
To be a prince or princess in the house of God comes with our rebirth into the lineage of Christ, and much like baby Archie we have not earned it, and yet here we are, and by His stripes, and His blood, we inherit the kingdom of God... if we accept who we are, by loving, and obeying, the will of our Father. You may not have looked at faith in this way before because King, Queens, Princes, Princesses, and all of the other royal titles are fairly uncommon in the world today, but in the time of Jesus there were many such lineages, and this understanding was as common as being called president is to us today. So what are our responsibilities in this regard, and what are the blessings, and rewards, that await us? Listen to what Charles Spurgeon had to say...
“The marvelous incarnation of the God of heaven, with all the amazing condescension and humiliation which attended it, is ours. The bloody sweat, the scourge, and the cross are ours forever. Whatever happy consequences flow from perfect obedience, finished atonement, resurrection, ascension, or intercession are all ours by His own giving.” - Charles Spurgeon
So we have all the benefits that come from Jesus who sits on the right hand of God. We have inherited his suffering, pain, and all of the wonderful privileges that come with our royalty, but there are requirements.
“But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.”
Luke 12:48 KJV
There is certain behavior that is expected of us, and it all begins with the two great commandments...
“"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets."”
Matthew 22:36-40 ESV
So there we have it... we are royal because Jesus is royal, we have taken our rightful place before God, and we have all the privileges of being the sons and daughters of God, but we must adhere to the behavior and character of He who sits on the throne, and we must love and obey Him in His laws, commandments, and will... to whom much is given, much is expected. Are we ready for what lies ahead of us? Are we being prepared at this moment by the Holy Spirit to assume the title of Son or Daughter of God?
“At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.”
John 14:20-21 KJV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your Son Jesus Christ through whom your grace flows, and by whom I am made by faith to be pure and acceptable; thus becoming your adopted child. Thank you Holy Father for the suffering, death, resurrection, and ascension, that is now my heritage. Thank you for your love, and allowing me to love you with all my heart, soul, and mind. Help me Father to be the child that you would have me to be. I long Oh Lord to hear you say “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Teach me to be a prince in your house, and strengthen me that I might soar on eagles wings, and do your will always. Lift me up Merciful Father that I might do those things that bring you glory. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my Father, my King, and my God. Praised be your name that has made me an heir and joint heir with your Son Jesus. Great are you who has withstood the death of your only begotten Son, that I might be redeemed and made forever a part of your house, and a part of your bloodline through the blood of Christ. I worship and obey you Father forevermore, and in all that time, let your hand never lift from me. Hallelujah!
“And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Matthew 3:17 KJV
Rich Forbes