(a) Explain Paul's teaching that Christians are children of God through Christ. [12 marks] (b) Give three implications of this doctrine of sonship of God. [...

(a) Paul's teaching that Christians are children of God through Christ (Galatians 3:26-4:7; Romans 8:14-17)

• Paul declares, In Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. Sonship is received not by natural birth or by the works of the Law but by faith in Christ.
• He explains that as many as were baptised into Christ have put on Christ, so that there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for all are one in Christ Jesus. Whoever belongs to Christ is Abraham's offspring and heir according to promise.
• Formerly, mankind was like a child under guardians and trustees, and enslaved under the elemental principles of the world. But when the fullness of time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, to redeem those under the Law so that we might receive adoption as sons.
• Because we are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father. So through God we are no longer slaves but sons, and if sons, then heirs.
• In Romans Paul adds that all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. We did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ.

(b) Three implications of the doctrine of sonship

1. Believers enjoy a close, personal relationship with God, able to call Him Father and approach Him in confidence and love, free from the fear of slaves.
2. They are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, sharing in His inheritance, glory and eternal life.
3. As one family in Christ, all distinctions of race, class and gender are removed, so Christians must live in unity, holiness and brotherly love worthy of God's children.