Page 009 - What Is Your Status?
*Verses from AMP
"For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For [the Spirit which] you have now received [is] not a spirit of slavery to put you once more in bondage to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption [the Spirit producing sonship] in [the bliss of] which we cry, Abba (Father)! Father! The Spirit Himself [thus] testifies together with our own spirit, [assuring us] that we are children of God. And if we are [His] children, then we are [His] heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His inheritance with Him]; only we must share His suffering if we are to share His glory." (Amp: Romans 8:14-17)
One's status in this world determines a great deal. Your status often determines what kind of recognition and privileges you are entitled to. Lucifer, the highest archangel in the universe, wanted to be equal with God. This led to his rebellion and the relinquishing of his privileges. He could never tolerate mankind receiving what he himself wanted so desperately.
Some have stated that since the Apostle Paul says we are adopted by God, we could never partake of the life and nature of God as genuine children. However, the Bible speaks about those born of God, who have the very life of God: "You have been regenerated (born again), not from a mortal origin (seed, sperm), but from one that is immortal by the ever living and lasting Word of God." (Amp: 1 Peter 1:23; See John 3:6; 3:36; 5:24;l 10:10; Colossians 3:4; 1 John 5:12)
Paul does affirm that even legally (as in an adoption) we have a right to inherit all that is entitled to us as sons of God because we are indeed genuine brothers of Jesus Christ who have the same Father. (Hebrews 2:10-14)