Identity Series: Sons and Subjects

Although we are royal sons and daughters of almighty God's, we are also subjects of the Crown and subject to the Crown. In the first part we belong to Him and in the second we are under His authority. One signifies a family relationship whereas the other signifies a responsibility to the ultimate Sovereign. 

In the same way an earthly king or queen's children are both princes and princesses while at the same time, subject to their parent's authority of an earthly sovereign, so are we in our relationship with God. Many people have either a problem with the first part, as sons, and live entirely in the reality of the second, as servants, (with more of a works mentality); while others focus almost entirely on the first part, as sons, while minimizing or completely ignoring the second part, as subjects. However, we must live in balance as both sons and subjects.  Otherwise, it makes it impossible to be true witnesses of Jesus Christ', because Jesus was and does occupy and perform the functions both of these positions perfectly. To deny one in favor of the other is to have a off-kilter theology which sets anyone up for deception by the evil one. 

Once there is imbalance, a person will either focus too much on works and neglect relationship or focus on relationship and ignore submission to the King. When we are more relationship than subject there is always the risk of becoming overly familiar, as in on a informal, buddy-buddy, friendly relationship that violates the King's protocol. Sound cold and harsh! Not so! This is not just me speaking; consider's Jesus's position and treatment of His Father! His Father who is also our Father. He demonstrated that it is indeed possible to be in intimate relationship with God while recognizing that we are not equivalent with God [though Jesus was; but for the purposes of modeling this submission for us did not count Himself as equivalent to God while He was here in the natural], but submit all of ourselves to Him. 

We are not omniscient, all knowing. We are not omnipotent, all powerful. And we certainly are not omnipresent, always present everywhere simultaneously. We absolutely need to stay in intimate connection with the One Who is. There is a protocol to this connection, another name for it is righteousness, or right standing. In Christ, we always have right standing with God; and this requires walking as Christ walked - again  not as God but as a Man anointed by God.

It is very disconcerting to hear and see people who dash responsibility to God as our Sovereign in favor of sonship alone. As if sonship erases the obligation of being a subject. I do not see anywhere in the Bible where anyone who was in right standing with God focused on being God's son and ignored everything else. What I do see, is those whom God used mightily operating from a place of humility even knowing God is their Father but submitting to Him and doing His will. Without that, there is very little opportunity to operate in Kingdom power, demonstrating the Kingdom of God has come near. No. Kingdom relationship, regardless of how high or low, requires knowing and operating in Kingdom protocol.

Of course, I am not saying we never get real with God. That would be silly! He knows our hearts anyway. It's the intents of the heart that matters. Are you toward Him in submission or are you trying to get away with your own agenda in place of His. You see, eventually that will and must fail. The only agenda is the one belonging to the Rock of Ages, the Eternal One! But once we do yield to His plan and purpose for our lives knowing that we can trust Him, there is such absolutely freedom in that, it doesn't matter what we or anyone calls us. Our identity is in Him!

Outside of that, there is nothing bur struggle to be this or that.

Let's take our cues from the Bible and not from those with too much press while leading too many people astray. It's just going to be you and Him on that day when Jesus asks you what you did with everything you had at your disposal, chiefly the knowledge of Him. Not your mom, dad, aunt, grandma! Everyone will be on their own that day! For some a glorious day while for others a fateful day with no more opportunity for re-dos. 

Since we don't need to prove from Scripture that Jesus is the Son of God and those who led by the Spirit are sons as well. "For as many are are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God." (Romans 8:14)  However, on the subject side Jesus the Son of Man also considered Himself submitted to God. Here are some Scriptures to that effect: 

Matthew 8:9 - the centurion realizing Jesus was under His Father's authority said: 

"For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

Matthew 26:39 - He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”

James 4:7 - Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

Romans 10:3 - For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.

I could go on. And yes, we do submit to God as our Father but we also submit to Him as our King. Both are crucial. And of course, Romans 13:1 teaches to submit to governmental authority, and . He is after all, King of kings, and Lord of lords. We are the ones with the little "k" and the little "l"? There are many of us but only One of Him, meaning the Godhead.

See 1 Peter 2: 9-1: - But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; ¹⁰ who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

1 Peter 2:13-17 teaches us to submit to government; verses 18-55 teaches us to submit to Masters in all areas, inside and outside of the Church.

Do we get it perfectly right every time? Of course, not. But it is so important,especially in the times we live, to have a good understanding of our dual position in Christ. Sons and subjects, just like Jesus was while on this earth, in order to be true witnesses of God's Kingdom!

So I leave you with the following Scripture which captures the point much better than I could and with the authority that only Scripture has: 

Philippians 2:5-13 - Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, ⁷ but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.⁸ And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. ⁹ Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, ¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, ¹¹ and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

¹² Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;¹³ for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

Closing Prayer:

"Father, help us to live in constant connection with You by Your Holy Spirit so that we may live in balance of our positions in Christ as sons* and subjects of the Most High God. Amen."

*sons - meaning humankind, therefore this term includes females as well.

God bless you!