Who are These Sons of God?
by Greg Crawford Apostle
Romans 8:18-19
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
In our last teaching, we covered exactly what it is we are looking for in these sons of God. We saw we are looking for carriers of truth that has transcended and changed them from the inside out. We also saw that they would be ones to bring this truth to light or illumination in such a way the spoken Word from them would lift veils of deception of unbelievers. Last week, we also said that the glory to be manifest was a glory that illuminated and brought fame and reputation back to the Church. It would be manifestation of truth that would bring transcended glory. This just recently happened to me as I was able to speak truth from God's Glory concerning an individual caught in a cult. The veil over her mind was lifted as this manifestation from deep within my spirit touched her in a deep way. She concluded God had sent me across her path.
We ended last time talking about 3 qualifiers, in a general sense, of these sons of God. They are: pioneers in Truth, chosen men placed by God in a certain time and ready for the challenge and prepared for the sacrifices required. This teaching will cover the qualifiers and attributes of these sons of God.
To be led by the Spirit of God!
Romans 8:14
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
The word 'led' is a word that means more than what we think of in definition of normal English language. Yes, it means to "lead" as in following someone or having followers. But it also means
"to lead by laying hold of, and this way to bring to the point of destination, to lead by accompanying to (into) a place, attach to one's self as an attendant. "
It is allowing the Holy Spirit to have full control as we partner with Him. It is allowing God to lead us not in a one time event but into a process for our destiny to truly unfold. It is embracing what God has for us and not us deciding the direction or destiny our path will take. It is more than us saying, "wow! God used me in speaking a word, or the gifts, or witnessing!" It is so much more than that! It is completely wrapped up in a 24/7 awareness of the Spirit of God and the direction each moment is to take!
Purity and Christ likeness
1 John 3:1-3
1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is . 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
God's outcome towards us is to call us sons because He loves us. This is one of the greatest honors we could have bestowed upon us. It is not anointings, or gifts of the spirit, etc. but God's unconditional love that requires no performance. The statement is in verse 2 that "we are the sons of God". This is coming from us settling our identity issues and allowing the reflection of Christ to permeate our being. It then makes a statement that seems contrary to us being settled. It says "it does not yet appear what we shall be". The word 'appear' is the same word structure we see in Romans about the manifestation these sons of God will perform. The word 'appear' means "to make manifest. to make manifest or visible or known what has been hidden or unknown, be made known, expose to view, to become known, to be plainly recognized, thoroughly understood." You see we have to be first sons to allow the process and truth to be deposited within us. All of us are sons of God, but we are looking at a specific group of these sons, those who manifest a certain type of glory. That is why it states we do not know what is going to appear, because we are all in process. Some will fully manifest truth. Others may not. He gives the determining factor in verse 3. Purity is the separator that allows the process (hope) to manifest. The outcome is probably the grandest thing and confirms the full manifestation of the sons of God. It is in the definition above of manifest. As these sons of God appear, they will be seen, known, recognized and understood. That is bringing fame and reputation back not the church! to the Church!
Power to become Sons of God
John 1:12-13
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name : 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
The first step in the process of truly being a son of God is to receive Him. This is not a prayer of salvation. This is not even a decision to be open to all He would offer us. It means to take possession and ownership of Him! It is the right of inheritance.
The word 'receive' means to take with the hand, lay hold of, any person or thing in order to use it, to take in order to carry away, to make one's own, to associate with one's self as companion, to seize, apprehend. WE see how Paul could say he was apprehended by God. It was not God taking hold of Paul but Paul saying he had firmly laid hold of Christ and had every intention of using what was available to him! It means that the power (right of inheritance) comes only after we have lain hold of Him in such a way that we are functioning in what has been given. This now makes us in the position of fulfilling destiny or the will (finished no longer needing to exist) of God.
Shine as light because of the Word of God manifest
Philippians 2:14-16
14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings : 15 That ye may be blameless and harmless , the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world ; 16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain .
What sets these sons of God apart is listed here in these verses. Notice it is not gifting, or charisma, but is all about integrity and character. The sons of God are blameless, free from fault or defect. The sons of God are harmless, unmixed, pure as in wines or metals, without a mixture of evil, free from guile and innocent. The sons of God lead lives that require no rebuke, without reproach needing correcting. The sons of God shine as light, illuminating in brightness and brilliance. The sons of God hold forth the Word of life and cherish it.
Romans 8:13-19
13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
The only suffering the sons of God partake in the suffering is the moment of God of what God is birthing through them. But there is a glory God desires to reveal through us and is made perfect in suffering. This glory is contrary to all things around, so we deny its manifestation. But these sons of God will be willing to lose reputation. They will hold and release revelation in new ways. They are already upon the earth and are being positioned to release new revelation and truth that will confront the religious structures men have built. When that happens, these sons of God will confront falseness because the manifestation of truth inside will be so great that it will demand a release to manifest and bring to bear all things!
We will continue this series next time seeing the zeal and passion in which these sons of God will operate.
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