By Charles E. Newbold Jr.

We hear it preached that we are the sons of God, but it always seems like a figure of speech. Well, it’s not! If we are truly born again believers in Jesus, we are the living and breathing sons of God, male or female. The Holy Spirit made us sons. We have His DNA (Divine Nature Attributes). Almighty God created us for Himself from the beginning with the intent of having many sons, according to the patterned Son, Jesus Christ. This is our calling, our destiny. He chose us to be His sons—sons of the living God. Imagine that!

Consider the privilege and honor of being sons of the living God. As such, we are co-inheritors with His Son, Jesus Christ. Romans 8:17. He is the Son of God and we are the sons of God. We have a shared interest in all that pertains to His kingdom. We are sons of the kingdom of God. God reigns and rules through His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, who is the King of God’s kingdom. Jesus is the King of kings, Lord of lords, Prince of peace, Almighty God, and Everlasting Father.

I drive this point home because most of us who have believed upon the name of Jesus have not comprehended the greatness and magnitude of living as sons of the living God. We simply have not known who we are. As a consequence, many believers are living defeated and powerless lives. Many allow the enemy of their soul to play havoc in their lives, not knowing that we have authority to overcome.

The greatest enemy we face is that Garden-of-Eden pride that rises up within us, causing us to think that we are the captains of our souls—the governors of our destinies, that we can have life the way we want it.

We can attempt to live life the way we want it because God has given us incredible free will. Free will is necessary. While He commanded us to love Him with all of our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths, it has to be our choice to do so. Love has to be a choice in order for it to be genuine. Love cannot be legislated.

Left to our own devices, we love ourselves more than God—more than anything. This has to change. If we so choose to love God with all of our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths, then we are destined to be His sons and to reap the harvest that comes with being sons of His Kingdom.

Remember the prodigal son story in the Bible? Though he was a son, he chose of his own free will to leave the protection and provision of His father’s domain. The father released him to go his own way. The wayward son squandered his life. Most people live squandered lives because they do not appreciate their birthright as sons in God’s glorious kingdom. They do not live as sons. Even the older brother, who did not leave his father, failed to fully appreciate who he was and what rightfully belonged to him. Luke 15:11-32.

Hear, now, the call of your heavenly Father today. Repent from thinking you are your own god. Rejoice in the meek and humble knowledge that, if we so choose to live as such, we are sons of the living God. The inheritance is ours here and now.

“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.” 1 John 3:1.

Charles Elliott Newbold, Jr. has served as pastor, teacher and is the author of several books and numerous articles calling forth Christians to live the laid-down life for Jesus Christ. He and his wife, Nancy McDonald Newbold live in Knoxville, Tennessee where Charles continues his writing.