You are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.—Galatians 4:7
Are you striving for the Kingdom, or living from it? Here’s the main difference: A servant works for approval by striving to meet the Kingdom’s standard, while a son lives from approval, empowered by the inheritance of all the Father has already given him. The Kingdom is here—now—the family business, and our inheritance in Christ. Servants work toward it—children work from it.
Even at a young age, Jesus knew that He didn’t just belong to the Kingdom in a servant’s capacity. Instead, as a son, He knew that the Kingdom belonged to Him. He was born into it! He stewarded it as a son, saying in Luke 2:49, “Did you not know I must be about my Father’s business?”
Servants serve out of obligation, defined by rules; sons, or children, serve out of identity, motivated by relational passion and desire. There is a difference between a child with a servant’s heart and a person with the identity of a servant. Children are heirs and owners; servants are hired, and slaves are owned. Remember, your identity is as a child, not as a slave or servant.
Religion says, “Do.” God says, “Done.” According to Hebrews 3 & 4, we are to cease from our works, our striving, and enter His rest. Working from what He has already accomplished and provided.
Paul reinforces this in Ephesians 2:10, saying that God has prepared the works beforehand so that we should walk in them. The stuff is supposed to happen because it is what He has said—what He is doing. Our role is clear: listen to what He says, agree, put one foot forward in faith, and let it happen. That is the ceasing from our own works. That is the entering into His. That is His easy yoke and light burden. It is the unforced rhythms of His grace. He’s already said it, and it happens as we simply say yes. It is the work that He has prepared beforehand.
A servant mentality—rooted in striving and earning—is a roadblock of hindrance to the power and call of the Church on the planet. Striving to do and be good for acceptance and accomplishment only brings frustration. It’s not about what we have to offer, it’s about who He is and what He has already done. The word says that all of our attempts at righteousness are as filthy rags before the Lord.
God seeks those who will simply learn to relate to Him as Father and live from their position as children. What matters is a heart motivated out of relationship with God as Father. It is the same heart that David possessed as a son, one that was after God’s own heart. It’s what the Father longs for most: Family!
The Kingdom of God is our family business. Just like Jesus, we ought to be super excited for the adventure ahead and begin taking those big strides in Dad’s footsteps! Children always idolize a good daddy, and that is exactly what we have. The beautiful thing is, we have His DNA in us. We have been born again of an incorruptible seed, Him. That means, because He is in us, and we are in Him, we have His characteristics residing in us. Just like with our earthly parents, it’s science. It’s DNA! We were born to reign!
Our trust in Him ought to be evident by our willingness to surrender to His rule, not just His rules. It is in that simple trust of surrender that we are empowered to carry out the mandate of Heaven on Earth. It happens as we invest ourselves in His transformational influence as Father. If we are constantly in burnout and frustration with our walk, we’re striving, not surrendering. Children trust their Father. He is the leader, example, counselor, and backbone of the family’s business.
You and I are children, and it’s high time we start acting like it. We need to stop thinking that God may not help me in my situation because I haven’t been living up to what I think is good enough. It is by what He has done, not what we have or can do, to be in right standing with Him. It’s time that we start living from our seated position in Heavenly places with Christ. From the position of inheritance: it’s already mine.
I encourage you today to choose to live as His child. That’s who you truly are. When doubts or old habits of trying harder to be righteous creep in, remind yourself that you are already accepted in the beloved and equipped through Christ. Approach your relationship with God boldly as a son or daughter—secure, confident, and ready to take your place in the family business. Let your prayers, actions, and decisions flow from this unshakable identity, trusting that your Father delights in working through you. As you walk out each day, rest in His finished work and say yes to the adventure of living from your inheritance, not for it. You’re a child, not a servant.
“This is the great adventure!”
Steven Curtis Chapman
In the passionate pursuit of His Kingdom,
Pastor Jason
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