Sonship

All of God’s creations are not God’s children.

We are not automatically born into the family of God.

We cannot fully appreciate the gift of sonship until we understand who we are without Jesus.

We are born enemies of God.

For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.Romans 5:10-11

We are born children of wrath.

Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.Ephesians 2:3

We are born children of disobedience.

Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.Ephesians 5:6

We are born selfish with no desire for God.

There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.Romans 3:11-12

We are born sinners.

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;Romans 3:23

Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.Psalm 51:5

We are born unrighteous and unprofitable to God.

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.Romans 3:10-12

We are born rebels against God.

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.Isaiah 53:6

We are born spiritually dead.

Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)Ephesians 2:5

God has one natural Son.

No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.John 1:18

Jesus made it possible for us to be adopted into the family of God.

He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:John 1:10-12

For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.Romans 5:10

Adoption affords us all the rights and privileges of natural sonship.

the process of Roman adoption involved several carefully prescribed legal procedures. The first step totally severed the boy’s legal and social relationship to his natural family, and the second step placed him permanently into his new family. In addition to that, all of his previous debts and other obligations were eradicated, as if they had never existed.

A new Father (v.15)

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.Romans 8:15

A new name

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:John 1:12

A new family

And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.Romans 8:17

A new future

And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.Romans 8:17-18

A new inheritance

When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:Matthew 25:31-34

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.Revelation 21:3-5

Sonship brings hope and peace due to its permanent status.

If we are the sons of God, our lives should reflect Jesus, our brother.

For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.Romans 8:29