Focus: A Child or a Son?

Text: Isa.9:6

"For unto us a CHILD is born, unto us a SON is given..."

For all parents a child never ceases to be a child, even when that child becomes a parent himself. But no parent wants his child to remain infantile or juvenile. We desire to see our children grow up as adults and become achievers in different fields of human endeavors. We say to our children, Be a man! Act like a man. You are no longer a kid. Or, you are a grown adult now. Don't disappoint me. Brace up like a man. Stop acting childish. Yes, we use such words or the likes.

In our text are the words 'child' and 'son.' In Hebrew it is 'yeled' and 'ben.' You are born a yeled, but grow into a ben. God says of Jesus, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Jesus says of Himself, "I do always those things that please Him." The cross meant death for Christ, but it was pleasing to the Father. It was as a Son that Christ died on the cross, not as a child. Adults make sacrifices that children are not willing or ready to make. Children are very selfish and love the comfort zone so much. A selfish adult reveals that a baby still lives inside of him.

God wants His children to grow up and live actively and responsibly. Sons work while children play. Thrones are for sons, not children. Worship is for sons, not children. It was as a Son, not as a child, that Jesus learned obedience by suffering.

Child of God, grow up! It is written about Christ that "the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him... And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man" - Lk.2:40,52.

Finally, Paul says, "When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things" - 1Cor.13:11. You see, children are known for "childish things!" Remember the Hebrew word 'ben?' It comes from the root word 'banah,' which literally means "to build." So sons, not children, are builders of the family name.

It's time you advanced from being just a baby in Christ to becoming a son.

My acronym for SON:

*Surname - father's name for identity and remembrance.

*Obligation - sense of responsibility and maturity in the father's business.

*Nature - father's gene or DNA, or still, the 'father's signature' - characteristics of the father.

I pray for you for all the grace you need to grow up and move up the ladder of sonship. Amen.

by Bishop Moses E. Peter