As Gideon was about to kill the kings of Midian, he asked them about the Israelites they had killed at Tabor. They replied, “As thou art, so were they; each one resembled the children of a king” (Judges 8:18). The children of God are the children of the King. Is that not a wonderful thought?
Revelation 17:14 describes Christ as the “Lord of lords and King of kings” and those who are with Him are the “called, and chosen, and faithful.” As the earthly children of a king enjoy special privileges and benefits, so do the children of God. One of the most special advantages we have is the spiritual conformity to the image of Jesus. Wicked men resemble the prince of darkness. In John 8:44, Jesus condemned the Jews of being of their father the Devil. After one is born of God, they then embark on a life-long journey in which the end result is to bear the resemblance of and have the mind of Jesus Christ their Lord (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Another courtesy of being the child of the King is the titles which are bestowed upon the one who has made this momentous decision. Romans 8:16-17 says, “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 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.” Peter also confirmed the illustrious titles which God’s children bear when he said, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light” (1 Peter 2:9). To be a child of the King means that we wear many varied titles which reveal the gravity of a life dedicated to God.
The child of the King is also dressed in the finest apparel. Royalty would never dream of appearing before their sovereign king in beggar’s clothes. Likewise, children of God must lay aside the garments of this life and clothe themselves in raiments of holiness and righteousness (Revelation 3:4). The worthy child of God is one who has put away the lusts of the flesh and are living a pure and undefiled life in the sight of God (Galatians 5:19-24). The child of the King must echo the words in Job 33:9, “I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me.”
Children of the King also dwell in the royal presence. Revelation 3:20 says, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” We have the divine promise that where two or three are gathered together in the King’s name, He is there with us (Matthew 18:20). The child of God dwells with God and God dwells within him through the revealed gospel. Because we dwell with God, we have constant access to God’s throne. Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Strangers do not have access to royalty, but God’s children have access at all times. Not only is this access all-inclusive, but it is a bold or confident access. We have the ability to take whatever troubles us to God. With God, the door is always open and the audience is never refused.
A child of the King also possesses a royal education. After Jesus related the parable of the sower to the disciples, He said, “Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand” (Luke 8:10). This mystery was the revelation of the kingdom of God. Paul further described this mystery in Colossians 1:25-27 when he wrote, “Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Our ownership of this knowledge of God’s purpose and plan in Jesus Christ is our most prized possession. By the word of God we now have the ability to share with others what once was hidden, but is now made known through Jesus Christ.
The final blessing of a child of the King is the future prospects which they possess. The Christian lives out their days knowing that they have a heavenly inheritance after this life is over. When Paul addressed Agrippa, he said that he was chosen by God “to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me” (Acts 26:18). Peter stated that our glorious inheritance is imperishable, undefiled, it will not fade away, and it is reserved in heaven for us (1 Peter 1:4). Paul, in 2 Timothy 4:8, described it as a “crown of righteousness” awarded at the last day.
How splendid it is to know that we are children of the King. Although this earthly dwelling is fraught with pain and trials, we know that in the future we will sit and reign with Christ, having dominion forever and ever.
Kyle Campbell