A friend asked me this question about my essential identity as a Christian recently,
"Are you a soldier, servant, or son in Christ?"
Well, sensibly I know the biblical answer to that question is 'son'.
Ephesians 1:5 practically puts it out there that every believer in Christ is a son in the great family of God, not that there aren't other verses in the NT that points to our adoption by God the Father into His family.
"But are you acting like a son?"
This is the real pertinent query, the heart of the matter.
A
soldier serves his nation, because he owes a duty to his country. He has sworn an oath to uphold his duty at all times, even at the expense of his own life, so he is not exempt from suffering for his nation.
A
servant serves his master, because he is the master's property. This is true regardless of whether he is in that relationship because he chose it or it was forced upon him. So, his rights (and free will) are dependent on the latitude his master permits him.
A
son serves because he loves the parent. For him, neither suffering nor lowering himself in service is a chore like that of the soldier or servant. It is a choice, one that springs out of his eager desire to please the one he loves. It is a decision in the heart, made manifest through his hands. On the outside, it can look the same, but inwardly, the driving motivation is definitely of a better caliber. A son can suffer enormous loss, and still rejoice in it. A son can serve in utter humility, and still draw satisfaction in what he has to do.
So, dear Christian, what is the truth of your relationship with God? Is it based on the Word as in Ephesians 1:5, or is it based on other things?
Are you a soldier, servant, or son in Christ?
Addendum [16/05/16]:
Duty drives the soldier,
debt drives the servant, but
devotion drives the son.
