Recently I had an interesting dream that got me thinking about my identity as a son of God. We had a Men's retreat this past weekend and our speaker did a wonderful job, and the theme for the second day (Sat.) was our identity as sons of God. Interestingly, I had the dream on Friday night. I am so encouraged when the Lord does things like that, for it is hard to miss His message when He is providing repetition!
Sometimes my dreams are epic dreams almost like movies and this was one of them. My dream seemed to be a remake of a movie from the 1980s, a movie that I haven't seen in probably 20-30 years. The movie is called Ladyhawk, and the very simple theme is that two individuals who love each other are cursed by an evil priest to never be able to fulfill their love and be together. In my dream there was a very similar plot, an evil bishop was trying to keep two individuals apart and had cursed them and enlisted multiple demonic beings to help. There was a group of us who came to understand what was happening and we were working to break the curse and set the two people free. Just as the action started I woke up.
I asked the Lord what that all meant, as He often uses dreams to communicate with me (its very common in the Bible). I felt like He said this dream represents the spirit of religion, which tries to keep us from ever experiencing the true love of God, and establishing a real relationship. I thought that was quite an interesting word picture and wrote it all down. I headed to the retreat and had no real idea what the theme was for the second day, and sure enough our speaker starts talking about our identity and the way the religious spirit causes us to miss the relational nature of our identity as sons, and keeps us thinking we are just servants.
I was reminded of the story of the prodigal son, found in Luke 15. I am not going to quote all of the story, just a few specific verses. It is well worth reading and reflection. In quick summary, a man has two sons, the younger son asks for his inheritance and then leaves and blows all of the money in a sinful lifestyle. The following verses take it from that point - Luke 15:17-19 NIV:
[17] “When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! [18] I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. [19] I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.'
Too many of us think this is the best we could ever hope for, to be a servant, working and earning what little blessings we can from God (for the Father in the story clearly represents God). We think that we have sinned too greatly, lived a life chasing our own pleasure, whatever, and that we don't deserve a real relationship with God. The spirit of religion would absolutely love to keep all of us in such a state, for a servant doesn't have real authority or power, and is task or rule oriented (we could say under the law). In this existence, we depend on our own efforts and the acknowledgment of a good master, but there is no true love.
Jesus in continuing the story shows us how wrong that attitude and thinking is, for the Father will have none of it!
Luke 15: 20-24 NIV:
[20] "So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
[21] “The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' [22] “But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. [23] Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. [24] For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate."
The Father wants us all to recognize our identities as sons and daughters! IN the story He immediately restores all that the son left, his authority, his identity and favor! I love this story and the illustration of God the Father's love for all of us, His waiting patiently for us to come to our senses and turn towards Him. The Father doesn't want servants, He wants sons and daughters!
Paul writes about how we have in us this yearning for Abba, Father. (Romans 8:15, Gal. 4:6) In both of these verses Paul speaks about our adoption as sons and daughters. To me, the idea of being an adopted son, while great, seemed one step from being a true son. However, once I did some research into the term used by Paul, I came to realize why He used this Roman term. Here is a link to my study on the meaning and significance of adoption, as used by Paul:
https://amomentwithgod-srh.blogspot.com/2017/06/adoption-as-gods-sons-and-daughters-its.html
To summarize, the significance of this term, is that in this particular Roman institution, the complete previous identity of the adopted son or daughter is completely erased, as if they never existed previously. In fact, the family relationship in this "adoption" is so strong, that the Father could never disown the adopted child! In other words, once adopted you are forever the Father's child, son or daughter forever, and your former existence no longer exists! In other words, you can't actually go back to being who you were before, no matter what You do, that option/identity no longer exists.
I could continue on, but suffice it to say that the Lord is desirous of our stepping into our true identity as sons and daughters! The world and the spirit of religion, try to keep us from experiencing true relationship, for as sons and daughters we have authority and power, and the ability to walk in intimacy and favor! The one thing the enemy of our souls fears more than anything is sons and daughters of God who learn to walk in their true identity, for they have the same inheritance as Jesus (Rom 8:17).
Oh Lord, help us to come to our senses and return to You! Help us to step into our true identity, and live our lives as Your daughters and sons! Help us to fully experience Your Love and acceptance, Your welcome Home!
Amen and Amen!
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