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“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

I’m not a social media person. In fact, I am completely disconnected from all things Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snap Chat, etc. (It makes me a much happier and calmer person, truth be told. And it helps preserve my friendships—I know you know what I mean.) That being said, I am aware of the all-important “status” setting of some platforms. It’s a key acknowledgment of personal identification, upon which others can make assumptions and take particular actions. And it’s a big deal when one’s status changes. Going from “single” to “engaged” or to “married” are significant milestones in our social-media-driven culture.

But, sisters, do you know that when you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you undergo an immediate status change? We are born into this world as slaves to sin (John 8:34). We are not all “good” to be corrupted by the world, as some might say. We are corrupt by a fallen nature and sinning is our human nature. (We don’t have to teach a toddler to lie, now do we?)

When He chose to die on Calvary, Jesus purchased us with His precious blood—He gave His life for ours. The price of our sin has been paid in full. So, when we surrender our life to Jesus and live by His Word, we are set free from this bondage (John 8:31-32; 36)! Our focus shifts from serving our fleshly desires to willfully serving the Lord and glorifying God in all we do. Going from “slave” to “free” is a pretty cool status change,

But wait! There’s more!

“But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent Him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that He could adopt us as His very own children. And because we are His children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are His child, God has made you His heir.”

(Galatians 4:4-7 NLT; see also Romans 8:14-17)

Christ did not just come to this earth to free us…He came to make us children of God (John 1:12). And, as heirs, we will abide in the Father’s house forever (John 8:35), with an indescribable inheritance awaiting us in Heaven. Sisters, upon salvation we are not only freed by God’s amazing grace, we become a new creation altogether (2 Corinthians 5:17). We are brought into the family of God.

We go from “slave” to “child”—and this is the ultimate status change.

“Father, what a joy and privilege it is to be counted among Your children! May I use this status to invite others into the family.”

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life