Privileges of the Child of God
The apostle Paul makes it very clear, if we are saved, we are
“in Christ.” If we are “in Christ,” He is in us and His life within us
will inevitably turn us from sin to a life of righteousness.
God loved us and Jesus died for us so that we might be holy.
“God saved us that we who believed on Christ, once lost in sin, might live a holy
life.” This new union of the believer with Christ produces holiness.
There is no higher privilege in life than to bear the name of Jesus
Christ and be known as a Christian. Therefore, because of this new relationship with Him
we must strive constantly to live a holy life. We are sons and daughters of the King of
the universe. God the Father claims us as His children because of the atoning death of
Jesus Christ. There is no status greater than this on earth. How then do we dare act like
the children of the devil? We are now “members of God’s household”
(Ephesians 2:19).
Our new status as believers in Jesus Christ brings new privileges,
rights and responsibilities to our lives.
These new privilege as children of God produces a likeness of Christ
in our daily life.
We now have access to God. We are “no longer foreigners and
aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s
household” (v. 19).
Just think about it! We who were dead in trespasses and sins have now
“gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand” (Romans 5:2). We
can now come to God in prayer anytime, any place, in any and all circumstances.
We have this immediate access guaranteed because of God’s saving
grace. We are His children and we can go into His presence continually without any human
mediator. “For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man
Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all” (1 Timothy 2:5-6a). He is our
middleman, our go between, because He alone is qualified to be that person. He brings
peace, fellowship, and salvation to the sinner. The perfect God, and the perfect man is
the only mediator we need. He alone gives us this perfect access to God. What a privilege
is ours!
“Lo I am with you always” (Matt. 28:20). He is with us
constantly, even when we are unaware of His presence. It is my prayer that I am in such
fellowship and communion with Christ that He can break in upon my conscious awareness any
moment, any hour, every day. “I am with you always.” What a marvelous provision!
The apostle Paul wrote, “Be anxious for nothing, but in
everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to
God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and
your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). Jesus promised,
“Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in
the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it." (John 14:13-14).
Because of His saving grace He has brought us into this new
relationship with Him and He has provided for all our needs. He has not promised to
provide all we want. Because He has promised to provide for our true needs, we can
concentrate on serving other people.
The LORD God has an unlimited supply of riches in His grace
at His disposal, and He is willing to give out of that supply to His children. “I can
do all things through Him who strengthens me. . . .And my God will supply all your needs
according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:13, 19).
Not only is He able,
but He is also omnipotent and all wise. I can also trust Him not to give that which will
harm me. As the Good Shepherd, Jesus is our constant Protector.
He is also constantly at work deep within our hearts to make
us all that He wants us to be. He wants to produce His likeness in us so that He can use
us to accomplish His eternal purposes in this world. The apostle Paul admonishes us,
“No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful,
who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation
will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it” (1
Corinthians 10:13).
Let us make ourselves available to Him so that He may make us holy
and blameless in full measure. When lost people see Jesus Christ in us, and the way we
live they will be attracted to Him and listen to the eternal message of His saving grace.
This privilege of being in Christ will never cease. His love for us,
demonstrated at the cross will never fade. We are assured that His love will last for all
eternity. Is your awareness of His love now greater than ever before?
Selah!
Message by Wil Pounds (c) 2006
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