Your Sonship And Royal Lineage

Embracing God's Desire for a Personal Relationship.

Our Divine Inheritance and Kingdom Purpose.

From the beginning, God's deepest desire has been to establish a personal relationship with each of us. This longing is beautifully fulfilled through our adoption as His children, granting us a royal lineage into His eternal family.

"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are." — 1 John 3:1

Our sonship covenant is profound and multi-faceted, extending from King David to all Christ followers as participants in God's kingdom. This sonship includes both sons and daughters of God. I want to explore this sonship with you, both in the life of King David and the application to us as individuals, as we seek to fulfil God's kingdom purposes, now, here on earth!

The Foundation of Sonship: Relationship with the Father

Our sonship is not merely a title; it is the result of an intimate relationship with God. He invites each of us into a personal journey, where we experience His love, guidance, and presence daily.

"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

Sonship of King David - God's Covenant Promise

Imagine a loving father promising his son a great inheritance and also a legacy that will last forever. God’s promise to David in 2 Samuel 7 establishes a father-son relationship between God and David’s descendants, the start of this very special covenant promise.

(2 Samuel 7:12-16, NIV) "When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with a rod wielded by men, with floggings inflicted by human hands. But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.”

Father-Son Relationship: God promises to be a father to David's descendants, showing a deep, familial bond.

Eternal Kingdom: The promise of an everlasting kingdom foreshadows the coming of Jesus, the eternal King.

What does this mean for us as Christ Followers: Spiritual Adoption

We are adopted into His family, through the Holy Spirit. Think of an adoption where a child not only gains a new family, but also a new identity and an inheritance because they have become part of that family.

(Romans 8:15-17, NLT) "So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, ‘Abba, Father.’ For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are His children, we are His heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share His glory, we must also share His suffering."  

We have been adopted into God’s family, just as David’s descendants were considered God’s sons. This adoption means we share in the inheritance and responsibilities of God’s kingdom. And somehow, we also get to share in His glory. And the sobering reminder of what that means. We get to share in His suffering also.

As heirs, we receive not only blessings, but also the call to live out our faith, advancing God’s kingdom through our actions and service. Christ followers are called to participate actively in God’s kingdom work, spreading His love, justice, and truth. We are stronger together, united in purpose and in His Holy Spirit. This unity is powerful and enables us to fulfil God’s kingdom purposes.

The theme of sonship then is a thread throughout the bible, from Adam to Abraham, from King David through Jesus Christ to all followers of Jesus. We all get to participate in this profound covenant relationship with God. We are adopted into God’s family, called to share in His inheritance and actively participate in His kingdom work. Wow!

Inheritance and Responsibility

Just as a firstborn son receives a double portion of inheritance and responsibility, believers inherit the kingdom and are called to live out their faith.

"God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure." — Ephesians 1:5

Living Out Our Identity: Reflecting Our Relationship with God. Understanding our sonship and royal lineage compels us to live in a manner that reflects our relationship with God. We are called to embody the values of His kingdom, demonstrating love, compassion, and righteousness in our daily lives.

"Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children." — Ephesians 5:1

Kingdom Work

(Matthew 6:9-10, NLT) "Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven."

Imagine a family business where each member has a role to play to ensure its success. In the same way, each believer has a role in God's kingdom. We will choose whether we submit to His will and take up that role or we can choose to do our own will. Free will!.

Once we've made the decision to submit to His will, our giftings come into play. Understanding the gifts He has given to us and how best to use those, as He leads us and in collaboration with other Jesus followers seeking to fulfil His kingdom purposes. We all have different gifts and roles in His kingdom. How great an honour it is, to participate in His kingdom purposes! What greater privilege do we have in life?

Unity and Agreement

Think of a rope made of many strands. Alone, a strand might be weak, but together they are strong and unbreakable.

(Matthew 18:20, NIV)

"For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them."

(Ecclesiastes 4:12, NIV) "Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."

(Ephesians 4:3-6, NIV) "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."

His sonship provokes us to have a kingdom mindset, and to live in unity and with purpose, reflecting God’s love and advancing His kingdom on earth.

The Royal Line of Sonship

Sonship is exemplified in the life of King David and extended to all believers. We have an intimate covenant relationship with God our Father. As adopted sons and daughters, we are called to live out this identity by participating in God's kingdom work, promoting unity, and fulfilling His purposes on earth. Through Jesus Christ, the ultimate Son of David, we find our place in God's eternal family, empowered to bring His kingdom on earth to fruition.

Reflecting on King David’s Relationship with God

King David's blessed relationship with God, his acts that honoured God, and his clear understanding of his sonship, show King David’s deep reverence for God and many highs of blessing that we have access to through the word of God. These serve as an inspiration for us as Jesus followers, to seek God’s favour and fulfil His purposes.

Samuel Anoints David

1 Samuel 16:12-13 (NIV): "So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the Lord said, ‘Rise and anoint him; this is the one.’ So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David."

David and Goliath

1 Samuel 17:45-47 (NIV): "David said to the Philistine, ‘You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. ... All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.’"

God’s Covenant with David

2 Samuel 7:8-16 (NIV): "Now then, tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, and appointed you ruler over my people Israel. ... Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.’"

David’s Psalm of Praise

Psalm 18:1-3 (NIV): "I love you, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I have been saved from my enemies."

David’s Prayer of Gratitude

1 Chronicles 17:16-20 (NIV): "Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, and he said: ‘Who am I, Lord God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? ... There is no one like you, Lord, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears.’"

David’s Song of Praise

2 Samuel 22:2-4 (NIV): "He said: ‘The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my saviour— from violent people you save me. I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and have been saved from my enemies.’"

David’s Charge to Solomon

1 Kings 2:1-3 (NIV): "When the time drew near for David to die, he gave a charge to Solomon his son. ‘I am about to go the way of all the earth,’ he said. ‘So be strong, act like a man, and observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go.’"

David’s Psalm of Repentance

Psalm 51:10-12 (NIV): "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me."

These verses show David’s heart and His place before God. They provide a window into David’s heart as He speaks to His God and enjoys the fruits of his relationship with our heavenly Father. Amazing! Sonship with the creator! How can that be. I believe songs have been written about this very thing with the same amazement and wonder.

Let’s Go Deeper

God promised King David “I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son.” Jesus came to fulfil this promise.

Jesus the Fulfilment of the Promise

(Luke 1:35, NIV) “The angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.’”

Just as David’s descendants were promised a special relationship with God, Jesus, the ultimate Son of David, fulfils this covenant by establishing an eternal kingdom.

Living as Sons and Daughters:

Embrace our identity in Christ. Recognizing the intimate relationship we have with God as our Father. You are a child of God, complete with all of the benefits and privileges of adoption into the royal family.

Reflect this relationship in your daily life. Make decisions that honour God and seek after His purposes. Think and act on what He would have you to do in support of His kingdom come!

Participating in God's Mission:

Engage in activities that further God's kingdom. Serve others, share the gospel, participate in community initiatives. We were not meant to do this alone. Get alongside those who are also seeking to build the kingdom for His purposes. Get involved with your local church. The hospital for a world looking for hope and purpose!

Understand that your sonship role is both a privilege and a responsibility, requiring active participation in God's redemptive work.

Unity and Agreement:

Work in unity with other believers. Recognize the strength that comes from collective efforts in advancing God's kingdom. This is not so easy to achieve. The key is to have a higher calling and purpose than the things that can cause difference of opinion. Then you will jointly agree to put those down to continue together on that common goal. Is there any greater goal than following God's will for you in building His kingdom?

Get with a group who will pray together to seek after and find ways to meet the need and work out His kingdom objectives. Seek Him on where to start. His Holy Spirit will guide you. Ephesians 4:3-6

What a great privilege it is to enjoy the covenant promise of the sonship of God. To participate in the line of King David and Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah. We have an intimate family relationship with our God.

The Transformative Power of Relationship

Embracing our identity as God's children transforms how we see ourselves and the world around us. This relationship empowers us to overcome challenges, knowing that our Father is with us, guiding and supporting us every step of the way.

"For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God." — Romans 8:14

Embrace Your Divine Relationship

God's desire for a personal relationship with each of us is the foundation of our sonship and royal lineage. Embrace this relationship, and we step into our true identity, experiencing the fullness of life that He intends for us.

"I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." — 2 Corinthians 6:18

Adopted sons and daughters of The Most High God

Outrageous! But God! Let’s then live out this identity we have inherited through Christ by participating in God's kingdom work, promoting unity, and fulfilling His purposes!

Looking for next steps? See our Next Steps page for more.