“The Son of God became the Son of Man so the sons of men could become the sons of God.”

These words have been resonating in my spirit every since my pastor friend Duncan Smith delivered them at a Conference a few years back. On this Christmas Day it seems to me that they sum up perfectly the reason why our Father in heaven sent His only begotten Son into our world.

The apostle Paul put it this way in Galatians 4:4-5: But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.

Clearly, the heart of the Father is not to limit “sonship” to the Only Begotten Son, Jesus, but to everyone who desires to be part of His family. Paul tells us that He does this through the process of adoption.

Prior to becoming part of the family of God, we are like orphans who long to belong. Then we are given an opportunity to become His children. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. (John 1:12)

Simply by receiving Jesus as Saviour and believing that He is Lord (Romans 10:9), we are adopted into God’s family.

Paul goes on to point out the significance of this new identity. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.”  So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. (Galatians 4:6-7)

Take a moment to let that sink into your spirits…an heir of God Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, Father of Jesus himself. You and I have the same access as Jesus to all that the Father has. As Jesus himself said in Luke 12:32: “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.”

Wow! What an awesome change from being orphans without a family to becoming heirs of the one from whom every family on earth derives its name!!! He is now our “Abba!” our “Daddy.” It is an intimate relationship that every orphan child yearns to have…and we have it through Jesus!!

Dear, this identity is the key to advancing into your destiny. Knowing who you are in Christ, knowing whose you are, knowing that you are a joint heir with Jesus, gives you the confidence to forge ahead without fear, with no insecurity whatsoever. Because all of heaven backs you up every step of the way.

This is why God sent Jesus. Not just for us to see His only begotten Son, but for Him to see that all of us become His adopted “sons.”

Duncan Smith was absolutely perfect in his summation of Christmas: “The Son of God became the Son of Man so the sons of men could become the sons of God.”

Merry Christmas, everybody!