BECOMING SONS OF GOD BY FAITH

Those who walk according to the Spirit are considered “sons” of God. The Bible makes a distinction between “children” of God and “sons” of God. A “child” of God is someone who is born of the Spirit, but have not yet learned to walk according to the Spirit. Instead of walking according to the Spirit they walk according to the “world.” Moreover, those who walk according to the world are walking according to their flesh.

Those who walk according to the Spirit are considered “sons” of God. The Bible makes a distinction between “children” of God and “sons” of God (). A “child” is simply a descendant of God, someone who is born of the Spirit but may yet still walk according to the world, which is another way of saying that they walk according to the world ().

The “lust of the flesh” are those desires that arise from our own fallen nature. The “lust of the eyes” refer to those evil desires that we “see” in others. These things enter into our hearts through the avenue of our eyes and entice us. The “pride of life” represents the end result of walking after/serving our lusts. This is what comes straight from the devil himself.

On the other hand, a “son” is someone who is like the Father. He/she walks like God in the Spirit and not according to their flesh. It’s a real sign of maturity when a believer makes a decision to stop walking according to the world, and start walking according to the Spirit ().

Here again, we have the word “child” (infant). We get the impression from this verse that God gives us space to speak, think and understand (NOT act) according to our maturity level. However, as we grow God expects us to “put away” our immature ways. He expects us to stop speaking, thinking and reasoning like a child, or someone who walks according to the flesh, and start speaking, thinking and reasoning as a man, or someone who walks according to the Spirit ().

Here again, Paul speaks of being “children” (infants). He says that as long as we are “children” we are in bondage to the principles of the world (our flesh). This is why God sent His Son AND the Spirit of His Son—to redeem or deliver us from this bondage ().

The purpose of redemption is not just to deliver us from sin. The purpose of redemption is to enable us to receive adoption or sonship. In the Roman world a “son” differed from a child. Being a son was less about birth and more about receiving status and responsibility in the family. Moreover, the way to receive sonship and be truly delivered from the world (infancy, carnality) is to receive the “Spirit of His Son.” The Holy Spirit is here called the “Spirit of His Son” because the Holy Spirit is how we are brought into sonship (made sons).

When we receive the Holy Spirit we are able to be free from the world because we have the ability to stop walking according to the “elements of the world” (our senses) and start walking according to the desires of the Spirit. Now it’s still to keep walking according to the world (our senses) even after we receive the Spirit. This was the situation the Galatians were in. They had once received the Spirit by faith, but were now turning back and walking according to the world (, ).

The Holy Spirit is here called the “Spirit of His Son” because the Holy Spirit is how we are brought into sonship (made sons). Unfortunately, everyone is not ready to do this immediately. They do not see the real value of walking according to the Spirit nor the danger of walking according to their flesh (senses). Therefore, there needs to be an awakening that takes place in the hearts of believers. This awakening comes in the form of faith. When God gives a believer the faith to believe that the Holy Spirit has been given to them to walk as sons and not as children, it represents the moment when God is truly calling them to be separated unto Him.

Now it’s still possible for them to reject this faith once it is given, or even reject this faith AFTER it’s been given. This was the situation the Galatians were in. They had once received the Spirit by faith, but eventually turn back and began to walk according to the “elements of the world” (their flesh). As a result of their decision, they were in danger of losing their status as “sons” of God ().

As a result of this decision (to walk after their flesh and not the Spirit), they were in danger of losing their status as “sons” ().

They were being convinced by religious men that it was more beneficial or even practical to walk according to the commandments of men. Today, people are being convinced that serving God through man-made creeds and codes is more practical, safe and even rewarding than trying to walk with God by faith in the Spirit. This is why so many are embracing the false Eastern religions because they feel like they’re doing something. They “feel” better after doing it or while doing it. (Don’t get me wrong, there are feelings associated with the Spirit, but those feelings are the result of faith and not the result of what we receive through out senses.)

The Galatians were being “bewitched” (deceived) by religious men that it was more practical and even more beneficial for them to walk according to what they saw other men do. Today, people are being convinced that there is a more practical, safe and rewarding way to walk with God. They have taken away all the praying, waiting and tarrying for the Holy Spirit and replaced it with more socially acceptable “forms” of religion. These are forms that allow us to feel like we’re doing something, like we’re being productive (Martha). Unfortunately, they miss the point.

Paul is saying that although it may appear as though these religious leaders are showing you great affection and support (love), it’s really just a technique they use to gain another disciple. Moreover, they are the only one that is benefiting from this relationship. The Galatians weren’t benefiting from the relationship, because as long as they were walking after their flesh and not the Spirit, they were losing their status as “sons” (). Christ can only be “formed” (give outward expression to one’s inward nature) in those who walk by the Spirit, because Christ won’t form Himself He can only be formed by the Spirit.

As a result of this decision (to walk after their flesh and not the Spirit), they were in danger of losing their status as “sons” ().

Secondly, God was not benefiting from the relationship, because as long as they were not being taught to walk by faith and by the Spirit they were being separated from God ( ESV). Whenever we stop walking by faith (the Spirit), you are separated from Christ. The reason Paul was requiring the Galatians to walk by faith and according to the Spirit was because he wanted Christ to benefit from their conversion. God has purchased and redeemed us, but it’s the job of God’s ministers to deliver His property back to Him ().

What the Galatians didn’t understand (and what we often fail to understand) is that while they were following and walking according to the man-made principles and laws they were being separated from Christ (, ). Whenever you stop walking by faith (the Spirit), you are separated from God and Christ. The reason Paul was teaching them to walk according to the Spirit was because he wanted Christ to benefit from their conversion. (When men convince you that it’s better/easier for you just to listen to them, but don’t teach or require you to walk by faith (with the Spirit) their intentions is to gain you as a disciple. They want to benefit from your conversion rather than Christ benefiting from your conversion.)

Now, this is not always a conscious decision on the part of religious leaders. Many times they believe they’re doing you and God a favor. They are trying to keep things simple. They feel you’re better off coming to Church each week rather than spending your time in the world. However, what they don’t understand is that as long as you are not walking by faith (in the Spirit) you are still in some respects “in the world.” You are walking according to your senses (doing what you feel is right) or according to someone else’s senses (doing what they feel is right). Furthermore, they haven’t released to God His property. Instead of depending on God, God’s people are taught (allowed) to depend on man. This is theft!

Unfortunately, everyone is not ready to do this immediately. They do not see the real value of walking according to the Spirit nor the danger of walking according to their flesh (senses). Therefore, there needs to be an awakening that takes place in the hearts of believers. This awakening comes in the form of faith. When God gives a believer the faith to believe that the Holy Spirit has been given to them to walk as sons and not as children, it represents the moment when God is truly calling them to be separated unto Him.