sonship

  • Welcome to Christian Forums, a Christian Forum that recognizes that all Christians are a work in progress.

    You will need to register to be able to join in fellowship with Christians all over the world.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!

soul man

Well-Known Member
Jan 6, 2018
2,570
1,738
113
66
Fletcher
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Phillippians 3:14,

14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

I have made the statement before that there is no miracle for the mind at the cross. Miracle is in spirit, the spirit of man is joined unto the Spirit of Christ. But there is a miracle for the mind, that comes by the renewing of the mind to catch up with the facts. The facts that has happened to you and for you at the cross. The cross is the most powerful place of your deliverance, both before you were born again, as well as after.

You may have some kind of affinity toward what happened to you but you really don't know the moment you believed what all consists in the cross and what it means to be a Christian. So a miracle in mind will need to happen with you through time. What happens with time, we learn, we grow in grace and knowledge. You come to some conclusions of where you may fit in to the body of Christ as a productive Christian.

Lets take it a little higher as Paul calls it in our text.

14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

What is the high calling you are called to; I'll give the simplest answer I know! It is sonship. As simple as you learning to be a son. Sonship is what you get in (Galations 4:1-2),

4 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;

2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.

If you read close enough you can even see that it is your Father that declares sonship "until the time appointed of the Father." At an appointed time you are declared a son, the child not just a recipient of all the father has but now declared a son the heir to recieve from the Father all he has. Just as Jesus would receive of the father now you are a son by the father's decoration of sonship. You were always a child if born again and a son, but by your new birth knew nothing of the declared sonship of the Father. The scripture says;

4 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;

2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.

So we are viewed no different than a servant until we can handle the things of our father. He is not a santa clause as some suppose and will not give the child their inheritance until they can handle it. Does that mean your on your own until then absolutely not, our father always takes care of his children, but you will not be receive all the father has until you grow up and can handle it. When we talk about inheritance we are not talking about material things, though it may include that. We are talking about a deep spiritual matter of sonship, that has to do with the mind being compatible with the new life in you. That life expressed is sonship, that is your inheritance, Christ alive in you doing the doing. Nolonger you but Christ as Paul said in Galatians 2:20,

20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
 
Last edited:

Not me

Well-Known Member
May 8, 2019
1,696
1,945
113
66
California, Ca.
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Phillippians 3:14,

14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

I have made the statement before that there is no miracle for the mind at the cross. Miracle is in spirit, the spirit of man is joined unto the Spirit of Christ. But there is a miracle for the mind, that comes by the renewing of the mind to catch up with the facts. The facts that has happened to you and for you at the cross. The cross is the most powerful place of your deliverance, both before you were born again, as well as after.

You may have some kind of affinity toward what happened to you but you really don't know the moment you believed what all consists in the cross and what it means to be a Christian. So a miracle in mind will need to happen with you through time. What happens with time, we learn, we grow in grace and knowledge. You come to some conclusions of where you may fit in to the body of Christ as a productive Christian.

Lets take it a little higher as Paul calls it in our text.

14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

What is the high calling you are called to; I'll give the simplest answer I know! It is sonship. As simple as you learning to be a son. Sonship is what you get in (Galations 4:1-2),

4 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;

2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.

If you read close enough you can even see that it is your Father that declares sonship "until the time appointed of the Father." At an appointed time you are declared a son, the child not just a recipient of all the father has but now declared a son the heir to recieve from the Father all he has. Just as Jesus would receive of the father now you are a son by the father's decoration of sonship. You were always a child if born again and a son, but by your new birth knew nothing of the declared sonship of the Father. The scripture says;

4 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;

2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.

So we are viewed no different than a servant until we can handle the things of our father. He is not a santa clause as some suppose and will not give the child their inheritance until they can handle it. Does that mean your on your own until then absolutely not, our father always takes care of his children, but you will not be receive all the father has until you grow up and can handle it. When we talk about inheritance we are not talking about material things, though it may include that. We are talking about a deep spiritual matter of sonship, that has to do with the mind being compatible with the new life in you. That life expressed is sonship, that is your inheritance, Christ alive in you doing the doing. Nolonger you but Christ as Paul said in Galatians 2:20,

20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Nice! Great read.

That we might grow and know by experience, this sonship.

Blessings,

Much love in Christ, Not me
 

marks

Well-Known Member
Oct 10, 2018
33,156
21,420
113
SoCal USA
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
What is the high calling you are called to; I'll give the simplest answer I know! It is sonship. As simple as you learning to be a son. Sonship is what you get in (Galations 4:1-2),

4 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;
Hi soul man,

Are you then saying that someone may be born again, but that later, with sufficient sanctification, they may become a son of God?

Much love!
 
  • Like
Reactions: soul man

marks

Well-Known Member
Oct 10, 2018
33,156
21,420
113
SoCal USA
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Galatians 3
22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Galatians 4
1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;
2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.
3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:
4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

My read on this is that being born again, we are God's children.

Much love!
 

WalterandDebbie

Well-Known Member
Dec 14, 2009
4,449
3,097
113
76
USA
firstthings1sttab.tripod.com
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Galatians 3
22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Galatians 4
1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;
2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.
3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:
4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

My read on this is that being born again, we are God's children.

Much love!
Amen: John 3 KJV

John 3:5 Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: soul man

Helen

Well-Known Member
Oct 22, 2011
15,476
21,155
113
Faith
Christian
Country
Canada
Hi soul man,

Are you then saying that someone may be born again, but that later, with sufficient sanctification, they may become a son of God?

Much love!

Hi Mark...Soulman's opening post here is said much better and clearer than I was 'trying' to say to you in a post back in that other thread just now.

At some point through faithfulness, we move from a faithful servant to a mature son. ( not just one happy glob of believers )

Blessings..H
 
  • Like
Reactions: soul man

soul man

Well-Known Member
Jan 6, 2018
2,570
1,738
113
66
Fletcher
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Hi soul man,

Are you then saying that someone may be born again, but that later, with sufficient sanctification, they may become a son of God?

Much love!

No talking about spiritual growth, you are sanctified and made the righteousness of God the moment you believe. All the born again are the birthed son's of God, sonship has to do with maturing in the spiritual facts of God, growing in grace and knowledge.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Hisman

soul man

Well-Known Member
Jan 6, 2018
2,570
1,738
113
66
Fletcher
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Ah, but a faithful son will see himself (herself) as a servant of all...

Is this not our Lord's example? Are we willing to wash the feet of others?

Peace!

Yes I believe that, but that is not the same servant of Galatians 4:1, that servant does not know anything about the family business if you will. The heir in this case is a bonified birthed child of God that needs to learn about the family and is under tudors and governors (circumstances and situations) to do so; i.e. heir is the key word! How is he/she lord of all? you got it, their birthed into the family. Just as the earthly heir is birthed into a family so it is with the heir of Galatians 4:1.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Hisman

marks

Well-Known Member
Oct 10, 2018
33,156
21,420
113
SoCal USA
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
No talking about spiritual growth, you are sanctified and made the righteousness of God the moment you believe. All the born again are the birthed son's of God, sonship has to do with maturing in the spiritual facts of God, growing in grace and knowledge.
Ok, thank you. Your "sonship" then is something I don't know and don't see in Scripture.

Much love!
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: soul man

soul man

Well-Known Member
Jan 6, 2018
2,570
1,738
113
66
Fletcher
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Ok, thank you. Your "sonship" then is something I don't know and don't see in Scripture.

Much love!

Sure understandable, if you don't mind me asking what your take on Galatians 4:1-2 might be?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Helen

marks

Well-Known Member
Oct 10, 2018
33,156
21,420
113
SoCal USA
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Sure understandable, if you don't mind me asking what your take on Galatians 4:1-2 might be?
Simply stated, The law was Israel's pedagogue until faith came. The Law corraled Israel until Jesus could die to save them.

Once one leaves the Old Covenant for the New Covenant, one leaves the pedagogue for majority. Isn't that what it says?

Galatians 4
1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;
2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.
3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:
4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

We are sons, and heirs with Christ, those who have trusting in Christ, those who have been born again.

Much love!
 
  • Like
Reactions: soul man

marks

Well-Known Member
Oct 10, 2018
33,156
21,420
113
SoCal USA
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Sure understandable, if you don't mind me asking what your take on Galatians 4:1-2 might be?
I just realized. I didn't actually answer the very question you asked.

1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;
2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.

Paul is reminding his readers of a known practice of pedagogues and such, as children live in the house, and are heirs, but have to just live according to what they are told by those who CONSTANTLY stand over them monitoring and correcting them.

And that this goes on until the head of the house says.

Paul is setting this up as the example for the Law being that sort of tutor and governor, that constantly watches, constantly corrects, but when Jesus came, it was to bring humanity out of that sort of relationship with God, into a new relationship where we are no longer under tutors, but emancipated, free.

Hopefully that is more on point.

Much love!
 
  • Like
Reactions: soul man

marks

Well-Known Member
Oct 10, 2018
33,156
21,420
113
SoCal USA
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
( not just one happy glob of believers )

I was thinking about this again . . . You still crack me up!

Revelation 7
9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

This looks to me like one big happy glob.

Much love!
 

Helen

Well-Known Member
Oct 22, 2011
15,476
21,155
113
Faith
Christian
Country
Canada
I was thinking about this again . . . You still crack me up!

Revelation 7
9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

This looks to me like one big happy glob.

Much love!

:) A Collective gathering yes...but tell me , when you are at your Christmas table , you are indeed collectively all in the same location.
But do you all hold the same position? Are you and your dad just the same?
Do your kids hold the same position as you?

I wont keep nagging at you..promise.
Bro...that is why I am always yarping on about the Father heart of God.
Just on this site we can easily see a mishmash of christians. Some we can clearly see are very quick to dictate to others...be rude and even unkind to others...even tell others that they wont be in heaven. And probably they are looking forward to "ruling with a rod of iron." Except 'ruling' means shepherding not browbeating. Will Father allow them the authority over others?...NO, God will, and is , always is looking for the reflection of His own heart within...( "For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.") His eyes are always on us. He look for the refection of His own love ...the same caring, sacrificial heart the Jesus had. We see as I have said..an order of those who served the Tabernacle From Moses and Aaron down... we see an order in heaven. It will be no different for His Final Kingdom.

"I believe" He sets mature, trustworthy sons over His business. :)

I will let it drop now. God bless ...Helen
 
  • Like
Reactions: WalterandDebbie

marks

Well-Known Member
Oct 10, 2018
33,156
21,420
113
SoCal USA
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
:) A Collective gathering yes...but tell me , when you are at your Christmas table , you are indeed collectively all in the same location.
But do you all hold the same position? Are you and your dad just the same?
Do your kids hold the same position as you?

I wont keep nagging at you..promise.
Bro...that is why I am always yarping on about the Father heart of God.
Just on this site we can easily see a mishmash of christians. Some we can clearly see are very quick to dictate to others...be rude and even unkind to others...even tell others that they wont be in heaven. And probably they are looking forward to "ruling with a rod of iron." Except 'ruling' means shepherding not browbeating. Will Father allow them the authority over others?...NO, God will, and is , always is looking for the reflection of His own heart within...( "For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.") His eyes are always on us. He look for the refection of His own love ...the same caring, sacrificial heart the Jesus had. We see as I have said..an order of those who served the Tabernacle From Moses and Aaron down... we see an order in heaven. It will be no different for His Final Kingdom.

"I believe" He sets mature, trustworthy sons over His business. :)

I will let it drop now. God bless ...Helen

Hi Helen,

You don't have to drop it if you don't want to. Just as likely I won't anyway! ;)

Does our division here have to mean there will be division there? Jesus is able to subdue all things to Himself. Our God is a consuming fire, and all that is of the flesh will be gone.

Do we improve our New Creation being?

We believe, and God gives birth to us.

All the rest of our lives, are we not imperfectly bringing to bear that new life over the old?

Is my new creation somehow lower quality than others? I know that in our flesh, we differ greatly. Some very damaged in life, some not so much. Some who just seem prone to mental illness, other issues.

But are we reborn differently? Or are we all equally patterned after God's Own nature, so that we do actually share that nature?

And that being the case . . .

If we are the same in the inner man - I say if - then the difference in in the outer man, which we push against.

In the resurrection, when the problems of the flesh are removed, then then are we not all equally like our God?

To me the differences appear only in this world, and only when we consider the flesh. Aside, of course, from those things specified, like rewards and glory.

As for rule, the verses talk about smashing the nations to slivers with a rod of iron, don't they. Sure that's just shepherding?

Much love!
 

Helen

Well-Known Member
Oct 22, 2011
15,476
21,155
113
Faith
Christian
Country
Canada
Hi Helen,

You don't have to drop it if you don't want to. Just as likely I won't anyway! ;)

Does our division here have to mean there will be division there? Jesus is able to subdue all things to Himself. Our God is a consuming fire, and all that is of the flesh will be gone.

Do we improve our New Creation being?

We believe, and God gives birth to us.

All the rest of our lives, are we not imperfectly bringing to bear that new life over the old?

Is my new creation somehow lower quality than others? I know that in our flesh, we differ greatly. Some very damaged in life, some not so much. Some who just seem prone to mental illness, other issues.

But are we reborn differently? Or are we all equally patterned after God's Own nature, so that we do actually share that nature?

And that being the case . . .

If we are the same in the inner man - I say if - then the difference in in the outer man, which we push against.

In the resurrection, when the problems of the flesh are removed, then then are we not all equally like our God?

To me the differences appear only in this world, and only when we consider the flesh. Aside, of course, from those things specified, like rewards and glory.

As for rule, the verses talk about smashing the nations to slivers with a rod of iron, don't they. Sure that's just shepherding?

Much love!

Just a quickie as I have a friend arriving in a moment.

Do you really believe that God will allow someone who is rude, harsh and ugly here to have no different position there?

I believe that we will "arrive in heaven" at the same position of maturity as we had here. Those that follow hard after Him here, will follow hard after Him there... we don't even arrive the same as each other. They will not receive .." thous good and faithful servant ..."

In the tabernacle there were many many different vessels , all blessed, sanctified, and sprinkled with blood by Moses....but all served for different functions.

Timothy- "If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, [and] prepared unto every good work."

2 Cor - "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us."

Okay my friend...must run...later...H
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nancy

marks

Well-Known Member
Oct 10, 2018
33,156
21,420
113
SoCal USA
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
I believe that we will "arrive in heaven" at the same position of maturity as we had here.

I think we will not be like we were here, rather, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is.

I think we are limited here by our flesh, and that our new creation spirit always want's God, and righteousness. I don't think any of the sins we suffer from here are from the new creation spirit, rather they are all from the flesh, including things like laziness, or fear, or disbelief (like in God's ability to deliver).

Once this vile flesh is transformed to be like His glorious body, then all that rot is removed, and all that remains is that righteous and holy spirit child of God.

Family.

Let me ask you . . . the 5 year old, who accepts Jesus, and then dies, 5 years old . . . who will they be in heaven?

Much love!