Paul taught that “all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons and daughters of God” (Rom. 8:14). So, we should ask ourselves whether or not we are routinely being led by the Spirit. In other words, do we routinely walk by the Spirit, or do we routinely walk by the flesh? Paul wrote,
For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, for those who are in the flesh are hostile to God.
(Rom. 8:5-7)
Please note that we subject ourselves to God’s law when we subject ourselves to God’s Spirit. God’s Spirit, Word, and Providence are all designed to guide us in our walk of faith. If we are routinely led by God’s Spirit, we will then function as God intended us humans to function – as His imagers. David wrote, “As for me, I shall behold Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied with your likeness when I awake” (Ps. 17:15). David wanted to be nothing more than an imager of God and to function as God’s agent. An “agent” is “a person who acts for or represents another.”[1] We, likewise, are called to function as agents of our Lord and King, Jesus Christ. It has always been God’s will that we would function as His agents and ambassadors in ruling over His creation (Gen. 1:26). However, most desire and seek after a glory and independence that is separate and apart from the Creator God. We humans are inclined to lust for more than what God has willed for us. Yet, at any given moment in time, God always has a perfect will and plan for us. We must seek no more than God’s will for us.
The Apostle Paul wrote that God’s creation eagerly awaits for the unveiling of the children of God (Rom. 8:19). Paul used the Greek noun apokaradokia, which is defined as an “intense anticipation.”[2] Paul also used the Greek verb apekdechomai, which means “assiduously and patiently to wait for.”[3] Paul explained that God’s creation is going to be set free from its slavery to corruption and into the glorious freedom of the children of God (Rom. 8:21). To walk by the Spirit and Word is a lifestyle of freedom (2 Cor. 3:17). Jesus is an easy yoke and a light burden (Matt. 11:30). The unveiling of the children of God will occur in conjunction with the victorious return of Jesus Christ to Planet Earth. John, the Elder, explained that overcomer (victorious and faithful) believers will inherit God’s promised blessings (taking possession of Planet Earth), and they will be called God’s children (Rev. 21:7). Paul taught that the Spirit Himself testifies to our spirit that we are the children of God (Rom. 8:16), “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” (Rom. 8:17). We must seek and accept God’s will as our highest priority, which means, from time to time, we will experience the hostility of a fallen and rebellious world.
At the moment of first believing, we become the children of God in status and position, but if we drift away from our walk of faith, we will lose out on many of the privileges and blessings associated with being God’s children. Paul wrote, “If we endure, we will also rule with Him” (2 Tim. 2:12). Paul used the Greek verb hypomeno, which means “to endure or persevere.”[4] The Christian’s walk of faith requires endurance and perseverance and is a meaningful test of one’s character. David wrote, “You [God] have put my heart to the test” (Ps. 17:3). Remember, it is the one who overcomes who will inherit and be called a son or daughter of God (Rev. 21:7). Like the Apostle Paul, we must fight the good fight, finish the course, and keep the faith (2 Tim. 4:7). In the Endstate, God will give His agents the authority, power, ability, and wisdom to rule. As with Noah and his sons, all lower existence will be handed over to the custody and control of the children of God (Gen. 9:2). Fear and terror of the chosen ones will be upon all lower creation (Gen. 9:2).
During His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus, stated, “Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called the sons of God” (Matt. 5:9). Like the ancient division between the Northern Kingdom of Israel and Judea in the south, we live in a divided country. Our nation is in the process of being destroyed. We are largely divided along the lines of conservatism versus liberalism. However, note that both are needed personality traits. We need people who are open to new ideas, and we need people who value tradition and put new ideas to the test. We need people to avoid bad ideas, and we need people that are not stubbornly resistant to better ways of doing things. In other words, we need people with wisdom, who listen to the Spirit of God. People that are devoid of the Spirit and worldly-minded cause unneeded division in the body of Christ (Jude 1:19). On the other hand, peacemakers seek reconciliation within the body of Christ (2 Cor. 5:18).
Finally, many are praying for and anticipating a dramatic intervention of God into human history. Scripture teaches us that the Lord is coming with many thousands of His holy ones to execute judgment upon all (Jude 1:15). He will convict all of the ungodly of their ungodly deeds, and He will convict the ungodly of their harsh things spoken against the Lord (Jude 1:15). At His appearance, He will judge the living and the dead (2 Tim. 4:1). God is going to humble and punish the arrogant. In contrast, those who eagerly await and love His coming appearance will be rewarded for their faith (2 Tim. 4:8).
[1] “Agent.” Cambridge Dictionary, https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/agent. Accessed 13 June 2023.
[2] “G603 – apokaradokia – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (nasb20).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 13 Jun, 2023. <https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g603/nasb20/mgnt/0-1/>.
[3] “G553 – apekdechomai – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (nasb20).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 13 Jun, 2023. <https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g553/nasb20/mgnt/0-1/>.
[4] “G5278 – hypomenō – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (nasb20).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 13 Jun, 2023. <https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g5278/nasb20/mgnt/0-1/>.
