UNDERSTANDING THE MYSTERY OF THE SONS OF GOD

Key Text: Galatians 4:1-7

The people of God are in a spiritual slumber and comatose state in today’s Church; so, God is calling His children to wake up. To wake up out of our slumber, to wake up out of worldliness, to wake up out of our self and selfishness, and to step into victory. We must return to love and live the Truth as seen in the glorious Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, and return to fellowship with the Holy Spirit. It is the Gospel that can take a person who is a child of hell, a child of the world, a child of darkness, or a backslidden Christian, and make them genuine children of God.

A child of God no longer loves this world, no longer a lover of money, no longer a lover of wickedness, but now a lover of God, a lover of His commands, and a lover of His Son. The Gospel calls us to be sons and daughters of the Lord Jesus Christ, and we must truly know the begotten Son; we must understand how we too are translated into sonship, our status as sons, and what is made available unto us as sons of the heavenly Father.

Sons of God are those who God has spiritually birthed through faith in Christ; such carry His divine nature, walk in obedience to His” Spirit, reflect His character, and represent His authority on earth. They are not just children by position, but mature heirs who walk in intimacy with the Father, manifest His glory, and carry out His purposes. Sons are ambassadors of Heaven, revealing the Father’s nature (love, holiness, truth), the authority of Christ (power over darkness), and the wisdom of the Spirit (solution-bearers on the earth). The concept of believers being adopted into God's family through faith in Jesus Christ emphasizes their Christlike identity, responsibilities, and the manifestation of God's glory in their lives.

“But all who recognized and accepted him—all who valued and accepted the character, methods, and principles he revealed—he made them children of God, transforming them into like character, practicing God’s methods and principles. They were made God’s children not because of genetics or biological descent, or because of human procreation, but because of the transformation of mind, heart, and character brought about by God.” John 1:12-13 Remedy Bible 

When we newly accept Jesus Christ as both Lord and Savior, we are likened to “babes in Christ” because our knowledge and Christlikeness are shallow and limited, and we will be feeding on the milk of the Word of God, which the Spirit of God uses to give us insight into our position in God continually. We will continue to grow and be transformed into the image of Christ from one level to another. It is here that the foundation is laid, and we will be taught the elementary principles of the kingdom of God.

“The principles of the doctrine of Christ… laying… the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment” Heb. 6:1-2 

It is when we are weaned from this that we grow into maximized manhood or sons of God when we can now partake of the strong meat of the word of God. It is possible to be a Christian for 20 years or even a Minister of the gospel and still be labelled “a babe in Christ” because they refuse to be a hearer and doer of the word, mortify the deeds of the flesh in them and not giving the Holy Spirit His place in them as teacher, counsellor, comforter, nor allow Him to empower them among many other things; and such will still be in bondage and not free because they neglect the truth that will set them free.

“Now I say, that the heir, as long as he is a child, differs nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed by the father. Even so, we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world.” Gal. 4:1-3 

But those who continue to feed only on milk and not maturing in the knowledge of the kingdom nor maturing into sonship are likened unto children who cannot partake of strong meat nor grow into becoming like Christ as being matured Christians.

Sonship is identifying with Christ as joint heir, having intimacy with God, knowing and accessing their inheritance in God, and being responsible children of God who walk in the spirit and do not fulfill the lust thereof. Sonship begins by faith in Christ.

“The mature children of God are those who are moved by the impulses of the Holy Spirit”. Rom 8:14 TPT

To be a son is to be led by the Spirit and to live as an expression of the Father’s will on earth, knowing from scripture that His will must be done on earth as it has been done in heaven. True sons live under the leadership of the Spirit, giving Him the right to lead, guide, and direct in all facets of life.

“And you did not receive the “spirit of religious duty,” leading you back into the fear of never being good enough. But you have received the “Spirit of full acceptance,” enfolding you into the family of God. And you will never feel orphaned, for as he rises up within us, our spirits join him in saying the words of tender affection, “Beloved Father!” For the Holy Spirit makes God’s fatherhood real to us as he whispers into our innermost being, “You are God’s beloved child!” Rom. 8:15-16 TPT

The concept of adoption in the Old Testament among the Israelites is that at age 30, children are transitioned into the adulthood stage and have adult rights conferred. However, in the New Testament, it is not an automatic transition but only for believers who have matured from the babe-in-Christ stage into the maximized adult stage who partake of strong meat of the word of God and are spiritually mature to handle deeper things in God.

“For the earnest expectation of the creature wait for the manifestation of the sons of God” Rom. 8:19 

It is only fully grown children who have transitioned from being a child into a son that can become like Jesus in power, glory, authority, anointing, spiritual gifts, and can do the same kingdom works that Jesus did, and even do greater.

Read Romans 8:14-17

This is the pinnacle of Paul’s teaching on sonship. The Spirit confirms our identity as sons, freeing us from slavery to fear and enabling us to call God “Abba, Father.” This intimate term reflects the closeness of our relationship with the Father, made possible through Jesus.

Our sonship also makes us heirs. We share in Jesus’ inheritance, His glory, authority, and mission. Suffering with Him does not negate this inheritance but refines it, preparing us to fully reflect His glory

Read Romans 8:19-21

The revealing of the sons of God is the hope of creation. As sons, we are not only heirs of salvation but also agents of restoration. Our identity is tied to the redemption of the world, as we carry the Father’s authority to bring His kingdom on earth

Sons must let the Spirit of sonship rise from within them. The greater One is within sons (1 John 4:4). Jesus said, “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” John 10:19

When we manifest as sons, we walk in the original purpose of God in creating man. The first Adam was referred to as “son of God” in the book of Luke.’ [Luke 3:38]. In that position, he walked in dominion. He lost it all as a result of the fall. Jesus came as the only begotten Son of God to show us how to live like ‘sons’ on the earth.  Jesus was called the second Adam so that we can know and comprehend that what was originally given to the first Adam, was what the second Adam came with to do kingdom living and kingdom works. May God open our understanding to who we are in Christ and enable us by His Spirit to manifest our sonship.

“For he knew all about us before we were born, and he destined us from the beginning to share the likeness of his Son. This means the Son is the oldest among a vast family of brothers and sisters who will become just like him. Rom. 8:29 TPT 

Sons of God are conformed to the image of Christ, the Firstborn Son. Through continuous reading, studying, meditating upon, and doing the word of God and looking at the word like a mirror, such are transformed, transfigured, or metamorphosed by the grace of revelation that the Holy Spirit proffered, going from one level of change to a higher one in an ever-increasing splendor. That is how maturity is birthed from children to sons of God.   

“For the earnest expectation of the creature wait for the manifestation of the sons of God.” Rom. 8:19.

Creation awaits the revealing of matured sons who carry God’s glory and authority. Only the matured sons have the authoritative power, having become like Christ, full of the word of God, empowered by the anointing of the Spirit, and living in obedience to the will, way, and word of God that have been capacitated to wield the power of the age to come just like Christ did.

“Because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father... and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” Gal. 4:6-7

For emphasis’s sake, such are inaugurated into mature manhood, having graduated from babes into sons. And they are not just sons who are in age but in spiritual disposition because all that God has and all that God is that was infused into Christ had been given to them [John 17:22] to live as Christians and do the works that Christ did and even greater works.

“And since we are his true children, we qualify to share all his treasures, for indeed, we are heirs of God himself. And since we are joined to Christ, we also inherit all that he is and all that he has. We will experience being co-glorified with him provided that we accept his sufferings as our own”. Rom. 8:17 TPT

Sonship grants us access to God's inheritance and intimacy. Such become like Jesus, who, after being anointed by the Spirit [Luke 4:18], lived to obey all God’s ordinances and do the works of the kingdom, just like Jesus Christ did.

“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God… Beloved, now are we the sons of God…And every man that hath this hope in him purifies himself, even as he is pure.” 1 John 3:1, 2, 3.

Sons carry the heart of the Father by living to obey Acts 1:8 and becoming like Jesus, reconciling and restoring those who are lost Acts 10;38; such obeying Matthew 28:18 making disciples of all men teaching them to observe to do all that we are mandated to do by Christ, and preaching everywhere so that God can be working with is with signs following [Mark 16:20].

Sonship is a present identity and a future glory. It means we identify with the office where they have been placed as ambassadors of Christ, also as kings and priests working under the leadership of the King of kings and the High Priest Jesus Christ. Moreover, we partake of the power of the age to come so that many in the kingdom of darkness can be brought into the kingdom of light

Sons develop Christlike character. The name Christian means believers who have perfected the act of being like, walking like, and wielding spiritual armor like Christ. They labor to kill the works of the flesh remaining in them until the nature and character of Christ be fully formed in them.

“...Till Christ be formed in you.” Galatians 4:19

Sons reflect the nature of Jesus which are the fruits of the Spirit including humility, purity, obedience, love, and wisdom. [Gal. 5:22-23]

“…For whom the Lord loveth he chastens… if ye be without chastisement… then are ye bastards, and not sons.” Hebrews 12:6-8

True sons submit to divine discipline and grow in maturity. We are like military men in training who are thoroughly trained and disciplined so that they can mature in military tactics and stand warring to win. We are well equipped, trained and disciplined, so that we can be well prepared for kingdom works.

“That ye may be blameless… the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked… nation, among whom ye shine…” Philippians 2:15

Lastly on this, we are likened to raw gold, when we come into the kingdom of light, the training rigor is like fire that is meant to purify, purge out, burn off all the behavioral pattern and lifestyle of the world that is still dwelling in us. It is expected that when we step up from children to sons, we would have allowed the twin tower of the Spirit to mortify the deeds of the flesh and crucify carnality so that we will become blameless, unblemished, purified, consecrated, purged so that we can now ascend to the mountain of the Lord with pure heart and clean hands [Psalms 15, 24].

We see the calling of people like David, how he was called by God at age 17 but went through training that looked like affliction but he was trained for 13 years before He was allowed to ascend the Throne as king. He had to reach maturity stage before his enthronement.

“But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions.” Obad. 1:17 

Until children walk in holiness, there is no deliverance, and where there is no holiness, there is no possession. Only sons ascend to Mount Zion, and upon Mount Zion, there shall be holiness, deliverance and we will possess our spiritual heritage.

Sons shine in darkness with purity and are purposed to do the Father’s bidding. Their faces are set like a flint to preach the kingdom, set captives free, heal the sick, and deliver the oppressed.

Examples of Christians who mature into sonship

We need to study biblical saints who grew from spiritual children to mature sons, demonstrating the journey of spiritual maturity and sonship.

1. Samuel: From Ministering Boy to Prophetic Son

Scripture: 1 Samuel 2:18, 26; 1 Samuel 3:19-21

Samuel started as a young boy ministering before the Lord, wearing a linen ephod (1 Sam. 2:18). Though he did not yet know the Lord intimately (1 Sam. 3:7), he had a teachable heart and served under Eli. God progressively revealed Himself to Samuel until "the Lord was with him, and let none of his words fall to the ground" (1 Sam. 3:19).

Spiritual Maturity Evidence:

1.Grew in favor with God and men (1 Sam. 2:26)

2.Became a trustworthy prophetic voice to Israel (1 Sam. 3:20)

3.Transitioned from serving in the house to hearing God's voice clearly

True sonship is developed by submission, consistent growth in the presence of God, and embracing divine responsibility.

2. Timothy: From Spiritual Child to Faithful Son in Ministry

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:5; 1 Timothy 4:12; Philippians 2:22

Timothy was a young man with sincere faith, which he inherited from his mother and grandmother (2 Tim. 1:5).

Paul called him “my true son in the faith” (1 Timothy 1:2). Although he was young, he matured into a faithful, dependable leader.

Spiritual Maturity Evidence

1.Trusted with doctrine and leadership (1 Tim. 4:6, 11–16)

2.Had proven character like a son serving with a father (Phil. 2:22)

3.Carried Paul’s apostolic heart and mantle to the churches

Spiritual maturity is developed through discipleship, faithfulness in service, and commitment to sound doctrine.

3. Jesus: Model of Sonship and Growth

Scripture: Luke 2:40, 52; Hebrews 5:8

Although divine, Jesus grew as a child, "waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him" (Luke 2:40). He submitted to his earthly parents and matured into full sonship, where God publicly affirmed Him (Matt. 3:17).

Spiritual Maturity Evidence

1.Grew in wisdom, stature, favor (Luke 2:52)

2.Learned obedience through suffering (Heb. 5:8)

3.Manifested the Father’s will and nature completely (John 14:9)

4.Maturity in sonship comes by yielding to process, obedience, and intimacy with the Father.

 

The Blessings of Growing from Babes in Christ to Matured Sons.

1. From Milk to Meat: The Blessing of Deeper Revelation

"As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby" – 1 Peter 2:2

"Strong meat belongs to them that are of full age..." Hebrews 5:14

Spiritual babes feed on milk, basic truths of the faith. But as we grow, we gain access to strong meat, depth, mysteries, and mature insight into God’s heart.

Greater clarity in the Word, access to divine mysteries, prophetic insight, and deeper communion with God.

2. From Carnality to Sonship: The Blessing of Spiritual Authority

"For ye are yet carnal... Are ye not carnal, and walk as men?" 1 Corinthians 3:1-3

"As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." Romans 8:14

Babes walk in the flesh: Envy, division, and emotional instability, but matured sons are Spirit-led, disciplined, and rooted in love and truth.

Blessings include Power to live above the flesh, authority to rule over circumstances, and dominion in spiritual matters.

3. From Immaturity to Responsibility: The Blessing of Kingdom Trust

"Now I say, That the heir... differs nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; but is under tutors... until the time appointed..." Galatians 4:1-2

"It is required in stewards that a man be found faithful." 1 Cor. 4:2

Spiritual babes are not entrusted with weighty kingdom assignments. Maturity qualifies you to steward spiritual gifts, revelation, and people. Blessings include the fact that God entrusts them with responsibility, divine assignments, and eternal rewards.

4. From Identity Confusion to Manifestation: The Blessing of Glory and Sonship Expression

"The earnest expectation of the creature wait for the manifestation of the sons of God." Romans 8:19

"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God..." 1 John 3:1

Mature sons carry and reflect the Father’s nature. They reveal Christ in character, power, and dominion.

The blessing here is that we will become God’s expression on earth, carriers of glory, honor, and divine solutions.

5. From Wavering Faith to Full Stature: The Blessing of Stability and Fruitfulness

"...Till we all come... unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ" Eph. 4:13-14

"They shall still bring forth fruit in old age..." Psalm 92:14

Spiritual babes in Christ are tossed by every wind of doctrine and unstable in all their ways. Sons are stable, rooted, and unmovable. They bear lasting fruit in every season.

Blessings here include spiritual stability, consistency, lasting impact, and fruitfulness in life and ministry.

6. From Discipline to Inheritance: The Blessing of Intimacy and Reward

"Whom the Lord loveth He chastened..." Hebrews 12:6-11

"If children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ..." Romans 8:17

God disciplines babes to produce sons. Sons are heirs, possessors of covenant promises and eternal inheritance. Blessings include the fact that we will inherit spiritual riches, intimacy with the Father, and eternal rewards.

Maturity in Christ is not optional; it is the pathway to fullness.

God loves all His children, but He entrusts responsibility, authority, and inheritance only to sons who have grown in understanding, obedience, and intimacy.

“Let us go on unto perfection...” Hebrews 6:1

 

EVIDENCE OF SONSHIP UPON MATURED SONS AS SEEN IN CHRIST JESUS

1. Living in intimacy with the Father

“I and my Father are one.” John 10:30

“The Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do...” John 5:19

Evidence seen in Jesus

Jesus lived from the secret place of communion. Sons of God walk in continuous fellowship with the Father.

As seen in us:

We are led by the Spirit and abide in God’s presence through prayer, obedience, and love for His will.

"As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." Romans 8:14

2. Manifestation of the Father’s nature

“He that hath seen me hath seen the Father.” John 14:9

“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father ... is perfect.” Matthew 5:48

Evidence in Jesus:

Jesus radiated the Father’s character, which is holiness, love, truth, and mercy.

Evidence in Us:

True sons bear the fruit of the Spirit and reflect Christlike character.

“By their fruits ye shall know them.” Matthew 7:20

“We are being transformed into His image...” 2 Corinthians 3:18

3. Obedience and surrender to the Father’s will

“I do always those things that please Him.” John 8:29

“Not my will, but Thine be done.” Luke 22:42

Evidence in Jesus:

Jesus lived in total obedience, even unto the death of the cross.

Evidence in us:

Sons surrender personal ambition to embrace the will and timing of God.

“Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience...” Hebrews 5:8

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ...” Philippians 2:5-8

4. Authority and dominion

“With authority commanded He even the unclean spirits...” Mark 1:27

“All power is given unto me... Go ye therefore...” Matthew 28:18-19

Evidence in Jesus:

Jesus exercised kingdom authority over sickness, demons, nature, and death.

Evidence in us:

Mature sons operate in divine authority through faith, righteousness, and intimacy.

“Behold, I give you power... over all the power of the enemy.” Luke 10:19

“The whole earth awaits the manifestation of the sons of God.” Romans 8:19

5. Carrying the Father’s burden and mission

“The Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10

“As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.” John 20:21

Evidence in Jesus:

Jesus lived for the Father’s purpose, which includes saving souls, healing, teaching, and destroying the works of the devil.

Evidence in us:

True sons carry God's heartbeat for the lost, the Church, and the Kingdom.

“We are ambassadors for Christ...” 2 Corinthians 5:20

“Occupy till I come.” Luke 19:13

The word "occupy till I come" is deep. It simply means do the same works that I did till I come back; such are filled with glory, power, anointing, and the seven spirits of God to do excellent works as ambassadors in the kingdom of light.

6. Endurance of discipline and suffering

“Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered.” – Hebrews 5:8

“If ye endure chastening, God deal with you as with sons...” Hebrews 2:7

Evidence in Jesus:

He embraced suffering and discipline, proving His maturity and trust in God.

Evidence in us:

Sons submit to God's dealings, pruning, and training to be fruitful and usable.

“Afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness...” Hebrews 12:11

7. Public affirmation by the Father

“This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:17

Evidence in Jesus:

He was publicly affirmed by the Father as a true Son, walking in pleasure and alignment.

Evidence in us

God affirms us through fruitfulness, favor, spiritual authority, and heaven’s backing.

The evidence of sonship is not in mere confession but in transformation, obedience, maturity, and manifestation of the Father’s will and nature. As we grow in Christ, these same signs that marked Jesus will be evident in us.

“He that saith he abides in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked.” 1 John 2:6