What role does faith in Christ play in becoming "sons of God"? Faith Opens the Door • Galatians 3:26 sets the theme: “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” • Nothing else—heritage, effort, or law—places us in God’s family; faith alone unites us to Christ. • Think of faith as the hand that receives a gift already bought and wrapped by Jesus’ finished work. Not an Earned Title, but a Gifted Identity • Ephesians 2:8-9 affirms it: “For it is by grace you are saved through faith… not by works.” • Faith does not add to Christ’s merit; it simply accepts His merit as our own. • The moment we believe, God legally adopts us—no probationary period, no spiritual try-outs. Adoption Illustrated Across Scripture • John 1:12: “To all who received Him… He gave the right to become children of God.” • Romans 8:14-17 describes the Spirit’s witness that we are God’s children, calling Him “Abba, Father.” • Galatians 4:4-7 shows how Christ’s redemptive work secures our adoption, freeing us from law and slavery. • Ephesians 1:5: God chose us “for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ,” underscoring His initiative. Immediate Privileges of Sonship 1. Access to the Father ‑ Hebrews 4:16 invites us to “approach the throne of grace with confidence.” 2. Inheritance with Christ ‑ Romans 8:17: “If we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ.” 3. Internal Assurance ‑ The Spirit testifies within, replacing fear with the certainty of belonging. 4. Family Resemblance ‑ 1 John 3:2 promises we will ultimately be like Him, and even now His character begins shaping ours. Why Faith—and Only Faith—Fits the Relationship • Works create wage-earners; faith creates children. • Law keeps score; faith rests in love. • Effort can never bridge the gap; Christ already did. Faith simply steps onto the bridge. Living Out the Reality • Remember: identity precedes activity. Act like sons because you are sons, not to become sons. • When doubts arise, return to Galatians 3:26 and the cross where your sonship was purchased. • Let gratitude fuel obedience; the Father’s house is the safest place to serve. Summary Snapshot Faith in Christ is the God-appointed means by which we cross from outsider to family member. The instant we believe, He calls us sons—fully accepted, eternally secure, and forever loved. |
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