Your true identity as a son of God

Michael grew up in a loving, supportive Christian family, and he always wanted to be a police officer. He worked hard at school, never got into trouble with the law, and eventually was successful in becoming a police officer after leaving school. He was diligent, often worked long hours way beyond what was expected of him and slowly worked his way up the ranks. What made him successful?

He was modelled good work ethics by his parents. He was brought up to believe that success follows hard work, and his life story is the epitome of these principles. He had a plaque hanging on his wall that reads, “Hard Work = Success”. However, with all his success, numerous promotions, positive supportive family and colleagues, two things plagued him constantly. One, he didn’t think he deserved any of it, and two; his power of influence was not as effective compared to his colleagues, even ones at lower ranks than he was.

One of those colleagues was Tom from a different part of the country. Tom didn’t come from a good, loving Christian family. Far from it. In fact, he was brought up in a caravan park where he lived with his family and survived on social welfare benefit. Tom struggled all through high school, and he barely made it through his teenage years without a police record. But when one of Tom’s friends invited him to a youth church service, Tom met with God in a powerful way and decided that day to follow Christ. From that point on, his life changed from what it was, to a life of living for Christ.

He never dreamt of joining the police force unlike Michael, but Tom’s experiences growing up in his neighbourhood, meant he wanted to effect positive change in the community where police patrol cars most frequently visited.

Armed with his newfound vision and love of Christ, he joined the police force and eventually worked in his community. In a relatively short amount of time, he radically influenced positive changes in his community. He worked with the local churches, schools, community groups, and built phenomenal relationships with the young people. His police badge was on display daily, but the badge people recognised more on him was the badge of humility, fairness, love, acceptance, understanding, compassion, hospitality, and more.

What is the difference between these two men? Well, Michael was brought up knowing God all his life but did not live to the fullness of the knowledge of who he is as a son of God. He failed to understand the meaning of Romans 8:15; “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.””.

Michael was full of fear; fear of failure, fear of being measured that he’s not good enough, fear of not being accepted by his peers and superiors because of poor performance, and the list goes on. To put it simply, Michael was a slave to his own fears. He understood that his salvation was only by grace through faith, he didn’t earn it, but rather it was granted to him as a gift from the Father. However, he didn’t walk in his faith nor came to experience it.

To experience the Father’s love, The Prophet Hosea urged the Israelites to; “… pursue the knowledge of the Lord. His going forth is established as the morning; He will come to us like the rain, Like the latter and former rain to the earth.” (Hosea 6:3).

When Tom found Jesus, he pursued Him actively for the knowledge of who Jesus is, and for a personal relationship with Him. This is where faith and action meet. It is where ‘revelation’ becomes an ‘experience’. In his pursuit of Christ, Tom met with the Father and His love. This is the fundamental difference between Michael and Tom; both are sons of the Father, but one walked and lived like a son, whilst the other lived like an orphan.

Whether you’re like Michael or Tom, or a bit of both, ponder on this truth, “… you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” (Galatians 4:7).

You are a son of God, created in His likeness. So walk in it, in every sense of this truth, and you will experience the most powerful love you’ll ever know.

In His richest blessings
Frank Po Ching

P.S. I look forward to seeing you at the 2025 PK Refiner’s Fire Men’s Event on Saturday 2 August. To join me at the PK Event [click here]