If you think about it, we do put on different caps at different times of the day.
When I'm in school, I'm a teacher/nanny/nag to my students, I'm a friend to some of my colleagues, I'm an admin staff/event manager/secretary/treasurer...
When I'm at home, I'm a grand-daughter to my grandparents, a daughter to my parents, a sister to my siblings.
I was somebody's girlfriend.
If I shed all these identities, who am I?
Regardless of who you are, be yourself. :)
"It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for something you are not." -Andre Gide
"For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.
The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”
The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
-Romans 8:14-17
(1) I am a child of God. (v14-16)
When we receive Christ, we become 'adopted' - in Romans culture, an adopted child shares the same blessings, rights and privileges as a biological child.
A child can be born unwanted, but an adopted child is chosen! :)
What are some blessings/rights/privileges of being God's adopted child?
(a) Intimacy with God (v15)
We are not slaves, we're children of God.
Slaves do things by force but children do things out of love;
slaves are pushed from behind but children are led by the front;
slaves are controlled from outside but children are controlled from the inside by the Holy Spirit.
Christianity is not about rules and regulations, but about having a relationship with God, about the love of God and the love for people.
Because God is our Father in Heaven, we obey Him because we want to. :)
(b) Divine influence and guidance (v16)
Be encouraged when He disciplines us.
Divine guidance would be backed up by divine provision.
If we are willing to be moulded by God, He will mould us.
(c) Divine assurance (v16)
Our God is a God of assurances - He promised to be with us through the good times and the bad! :)
(2) I am an heir. (v17)
Although we are adopted, we are successors - we have the same rights and privileges as God's biological son! ;)
And some of us may wonder, what then are we going to inherit?
We'll be free from the bondage of corruption;
we'll inherit the Kingdom of God;
we'll inherit eternal life! :D
We will enter the place of glory eventually; in the meantime, we need to walk on the route of suffering.
Despite the persecutions, we will receive glory; God did not promise that life would be a bed of roses with him, but He promised to walk with us through trials and tribulations. :)
Let's have an analogy for this second point - one day you're informed that Bill Gates would give you all his inheritance if you make your way to him by road. (I'm here in Singapore, it is definitely geographically impossible, but it's an analogy all right...)
With a promise of that amount of inheritance, you're sure to make your way there no matter how arduous the journey would be, no?
Yes, your journey could be a stressful and tiring one, but you will pull through because you know what you will be receiving! ;)
Likewise...
We will not be stressed out by trials and tribulations we face now, we will not just live for now; we'll look far into the future and do things pleasing to God. :)
My worldly identities changes as I take on different roles, but one identity that would never change - I am a child of God! :D
And because I am His daughter, I'll do what I can to glorify Him :)
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