The issue of equality of saved children of God and the heavenly Father through Christ Jesus is often viewed from various perspectives. Therefore, this sensitive issue must be considered with a balance.
The concern of this article is to strike a balance between the progressive nature of our equality with God and the complete picture of our equality with God.
Absolute Equality with God
Immediately we repent of our sins and accept Jesus Christ as our saviour, we are already in a great position and our advantage is peace with God.
John 14:23
Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
Remember, we are joint heirs with Christ; given our position, we have access to all Christ has access to in God.
Roman 8:17
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.
As we mature in Christ (through fellowship, word, and prayer), there will be a progressive development of the buds of equality in us to form fruits.
Progressive Equality with God
Many preachers often neglect the progressive nature of our equality with God when painting the absolute picture of our equality with God in Christ Jesus. The whole picture means that anyone born again is the same as the Father right from the day they accept Jesus. This is because the seed of God is in them. No wonder it was written in I John 5:4 that
“For every child of God defeats the evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith.”
The word every means no one is excluded; so far, they are born of God.
The question is, “why do we have some children of God whose life presents evidence that they are victims of satanic domination?
The answer is that having an understanding of the progressive picture and understanding our sonship status is key. Then, there is the opportunity to grow into what God desires as absolute equality with him on earth.
Matthew 11:11
“I tell you the truth, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least person in the kingdom of heaven is greater than He.”
From the phrase the least in the kingdom in Matthew 11:11, we can infer that there are no equals among the children of God. Instead, we are all growing to mature into the perfect image of Jesus in character and power. Jesus refers to the least; hence, there are some greater than the least within the kingdom.
The balance
The process of spiritual growth is gradual, but we have all the potential to be equal in and through Christ. I can look back and tell you that I was a victim of some life circumstances ten years ago, but now I am a victor. I was no less equal to God ten years ago than today. Instead, I have mastered the victory I have in Christ better now. Our equality with the Father is the same throughout our journey.
Beloved, whatever the situation is, in the place of prayer and bible study, we shall emerge victorious in the name of Jesus.
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