You Are a Son of God

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:12-13)

The word translated "power" in this verse is exousia. The same word is used for delegated authority and for rights and privileges. John was not saying God gave you the ability to become sons. He said God gave you the right. To as many as received Him and believed in His name, in His authority and character, God gave the right to be called His sons. That is not simply a title. That is a position of authority.

You are a son of God, not a servant hoping to be heard from the back of the room. You are a full son, and Jesus is your elder brother. The Bible calls Him the firstborn among many brethren. You are part of the same family. You carry the same Father's name. You operate under the same household authority.

So when you pray, you're not some outsider standing at the door hoping that God might do you a favor. You belong and come in as family, in the same household as Jesus. The enemy knows that about you, even on the days you forget it yourself. That's exactly why he works overtime to keep you small in your own eyes, whispering that you don't really belong. Because a believer who doesn't know he's a son will always pray like a beggar—timid and apologizing for taking up space. But a son? A son walks into his Father's courtroom as if he has every right to be there, because he does.

John made a point of telling you what this sonship is not based on. This birth is of God. He initiated it. He accomplished it. He declared it. So, you are a son. Pray like one. Stand like one. Take your orders from the Head and carry them out with the authority of the household.

Practical Application

Before you pray today, take sixty seconds to declare your identity out loud as a deliberate act of positioning. Say: I am a child of God. I have received the right and the authority that come with that name. Then pray from that position. Watch how differently you carry yourself before the Father and before the enemy.

Galatians 3:26; 1 John 3:1