WISDOM FOR LIVING DAILY DEVOTIONAL
JANUARY 26, 2025
TOPIC: THE SONS OF GOD (2)
BY T. O. BANSO
“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: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:11-13 King James Version).
In yesterday’s devotional, we began looking at a phrase or concept in the Bible “the sons of God” used both in the Old Testament and the New Testament, but with different meanings.
As we learnt, “the sons of God” is used in three ways. We have looked at two:
1. An unclear usage that has been given different interpretations. This is seen in Genesis 6:1-4. Different interpretations have been given to “the sons of God” who had intercourse with human women and gave birth to children who became the heroes and famous warriors of ancient times.
2. The angels of God. Job 1:6-7 refers to this. The angels of God are referred to as “the sons of God.”
The third way “the sons of God” is used is in the New Testament.
3. Those who have entered into a covenant relationship with God through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus is “the Son of God” while those who believe in Him are “the sons of God.” Some Bible translations use “the children of God” instead of “the sons of God”.
The first use of “the sons of God” in the New Testament is in the Beatitudes, where the Bible says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9 New King James Version). The definite article “the” is not used here but simply “sons of God.” However, the Amplified Bible uses the phrase, “the sons of God.” Those called the sons of God have a covenant relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus Christ. They are born into His family and manifest His attributes or character.
John 1:11-13 says, “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: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (King James Version). Note the phrase “the sons of God.” One must receive Jesus – be born again or anew – to become a son of God.
Galatians 3:26 says, “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus” (New King James Version). Nobody can become a son of God without faith in Christ Jesus. This refers to being born anew or again. After being born again, one must yield to the control of the Holy Spirit or allow the Holy Spirit to lead one. “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God” (Romans 8:14 New King James Version). The King James Version uses “the sons of God” instead of “sons of God.” For the same verse, the New Living Translation uses “children of God” instead of “the sons of God.”
Submitting yourself to the control of the Holy Spirit is evidence of being a son of God. “For all who are allowing themselves to be led by the Spirit of God are sons of God” (Romans 8:14 Amplified Bible). As a son of God, you must allow yourself to be led by the Holy Spirit.
Jesus, the Son of God, is our elder brother. By faith in Him, we become sons of God. “So now Jesus and the ones he makes holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters. For he said to God, ‘I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters. I will praise you among your assembled people’” (Hebrews 2:11-12 New Living Translation).
The Apostle John looked forward to the appearing or revealing of Jesus, and declared joyfully that when He returns, the sons of God will be like Him and see Him as He is. They shall see Christ in full glory. “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:1-2 King James Version). The New King James Version renders “the sons of God” as children of God. It is a great privilege to be called sons of God. We become God’s sons because of His love for us, and when Jesus returns, we shall be like Him, our elder brother.
Romans 8:19 says, “For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God” (New King James Version). Everything God created is waiting eagerly and expectantly for the revelation of the sons and daughters of God. The creation is waiting for God to show who His children are. The New Living Translation renders Romans 8:19 thus: “For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are.” Verse 21 says, “The creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay” (New Living Translation). That day shall come.
Just as God chose the Israelites as His children in the Old Testament, so those who believe in the name of Jesus, are adopted as sons or children of God. “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together” (Romans 8:15-17 New King James Version).
Non-Jewish believers (Gentiles) are no longer outsiders without rights of citizenship, but are fellow citizens with God’s people, and are members of God’s household (Ephesians 2:19). Every believer is no longer a slave but a son of God, and He has made us heirs (Galatians 4:7). Also, Romans 8:17 talks about this. Since we are God’s children, He will give us all He has for His children.
How are believers supposed to live as members of God’s family? 1 John 3:9a says, “Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them” (New Living Translation). What does this mean? 1 John 5:18 explains further: “We know that God’s children do not make a practice of sinning, for God’s Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them” (New Living Translation).
Paul, writing on the behaviour of sons of God, says they should do all things without murmurings and disputing so that they “may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:14-15 King James Version). The New King James Version and most translations use the phrase “children of God” instead of “the sons of God”
Conclusion: God has reserved in heaven an imperishable, undefiled, and unfading inheritance for His sons and daughters (1 Peter 1:4). Are you a son (daughter) of God? All you need to do is to be born again. Have you given the control of your life to Jesus? Have you surrendered your life to him? If not, do so today.
TAKE ACTION!
If you are not born again, you need to give your life to Jesus now. Take the following steps: *Admit that you are a sinner and cannot save yourself and repent of your sins. *Confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. *Renounce your past way of life – your relationship with the devil and his works. *Invite Jesus into your life. *As a mark of seriousness to mature in the faith, start attending a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church. There they will teach you how to grow in the Kingdom of God.
Kindly say this prayer now: O Lord God, I come unto You today. I know I am a sinner and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me and God raised Him on the third day. I repent of my sins and confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. I surrender my life to Jesus now and invite Him into my heart. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me and making me a child of God.
I believe you have said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations! You must join a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church in your area where they will teach you how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like a palm tree and grow like a cedar of Lebanon. May you grow into Christ in all things and become all God wants you to be. I will be glad to hear from you. The Lord be with you.
PRAYER POINTS: Father, thank You for the privilege of being born into Your family. I am a son/daughter of God and shall not practice sin. Holy Spirit, I submit myself to You; lead me.
(For over 900 in-depth and powerful messages by T. O. Banso, visit www.cedarministry.org).
T. O. Banso is the President of Cedar Ministry International, Abuja, Nigeria.
Phone No: +2348155744752, +2348033113523
WhatsApp No: +2349081295947
Email: cedarministryintl@yahoo.com,
cedarministryng@gmail.com
Website: www.cedarministry.org
BE OUR FINANCIAL PARTNER
Account Name: Cedar Ministry International
Bank: United Bank for Africa
Account Number: 1027304911 (Naira); 3004481420 (USD)
