Slave → Child

There is a difference between a servant and a child living under the same roof. Both may eat at the same table, follow the same house rules, and even do some of the same work. But their mindset and their sense of belonging couldn’t be more different. A servant obeys out of obligation, always aware that their position is uncertain. They may live in the house, but they don’t feel at home. They serve because they must, not because they belong.

A child, however, carries a completely different identity. A child doesn’t wonder if they’ll be sent away tomorrow. A child doesn’t work for love — they live from love. They know the family name belongs to them. They don’t worry whether they’ll have a future in the household; the inheritance is already written in their name.

It is possible for people to actually live in God’s house but identify as servants. They serve Him out of fear — fear of not being enough, fear of being cast out, fear of losing their place. They obey like a servant under compulsion rather than a child who knows they are deeply loved.

In Christ, however, we’ve been given a new identity. We have been brought into the family not as workers trying to earn approval, but as sons and daughters with full rights of inheritance. This is not something we achieve by effort — it’s something revealed by the Spirit of God. Without that revelation, we will continue to act like slaves, even though the truth is that we are children.

Identity as a very son or daughter of God in Christ is essential for moving beyond the limitations of slavery. Your identity determines everything — how you approach God, how you walk in freedom, and how you live out your lawful inheritance in Him.

Notes

Child vs. Slave/Guest

Front Door:

• Child: Walks in without knocking — sometimes even slams the door behind them.
• Guest/Slave: Politely rings the bell, waits to be let in, and says, “Thanks for having me.”

Fridge Privileges:

• Child: Opens the fridge at midnight, drinks milk straight from the carton, and leaves the door wide open.
• Guest/Slave: Waits to be offered food and says, “No, I couldn’t possibly…” (while secretly starving).

Living Room Seating:

• Child: Sprawls out on the couch, hogs the remote, and eats snacks that aren’t even theirs.
• Guest/Slave: Sits on the edge of the couch, careful not to spill crumbs, and asks permission to change the channel.

Bedrooms:

• Child: Walks into mom and dad’s room at 2 a.m. because they had a bad dream — no knocking.
• Guest/Slave: Would never dream of barging in. They stay in their place.

Shoes & Mess:

• Child: Kicks shoes off in the hallway and leaves Legos as landmines for others.
• Guest/Slave: Lines their shoes neatly by the door, cleans up after themselves, and apologizes for the mess they didn’t even make.

Family Name:

• Child: Writes their name on the Wi-Fi password sticky note, the mailbox, and even carves it into the dining table.
• Guest/Slave: Doesn’t dare claim the name — they know it’s not theirs.

Slavery vs Family Freedom

John 8:34-36 (NLT) 34 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. 35 A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.

Transformed Family Identity

Matthew 12:48-49 (NLT) 48 Jesus asked, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” 49 Then he pointed to his disciples and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers.

Like Jesus, we are chosen brothers and sisters.

Romans 8:29 (NLT) 29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

Adopted to full inheritance as a first-born child.

Galatians 4:1-7 (NLT) 1 Think of it this way. If a father dies and leaves an inheritance for his young children, those children are not much better off than slaves until they grow up, even though they actually own everything their father had. 2 They have to obey their guardians until they reach whatever age their father set. 3 And that’s the way it was with us before Christ came. We were like children; we were slaves to the basic spiritual principles of this world. 4 But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. 5 God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. 6 And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” 7 Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.

Child identity and inheritance require Spirit revelation.

Romans 8:14-17 (NLT) 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” 16 For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. 17 And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ, we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.

Promised inheritance requires the identity of a child.

Galatians 3:28-29 (NLT) 28 There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you.

To share in the family nourishment of God’s family – must identify as His child.

Romans 11:17 (NLT) 17 But some of these branches from Abraham’s tree—some of the people of Israel—have been broken off. And you Gentiles, who were branches from a wild olive tree, have been grafted in. So now you also receive the blessing God has promised Abraham and his children, sharing in the rich nourishment from the root of God’s special olive tree.

Transformed Identity as a Child of God

• From Orphan → Adopted
  • No longer abandoned or alone; brought into God’s family.
• From Stranger → Citizen
  • Once far away, now part of God’s household and kingdom.
• From Enemy → Friend
  • Reconciled to God through Christ, walking in fellowship.
• From Slave → Son/Daughter
  • No longer bound by fear or law, but secure in love and freedom.
• From Laborer → Heir
  • Not working for wages, but receiving an inheritance with Christ.
• From Condemned → Forgiven
  • No longer guilty, but justified and free.
• From Dead → Alive
  • Rescued from spiritual death into eternal life.
• From Rejected → Chosen
  • Not overlooked, but handpicked by the Father in love.
• From Bound → Free
  • Not shackled by sin, but released into true freedom.
• From Powerless → Empowered
  • Indwelt by the Spirit, equipped for life and mission.
• From failure → Conqueror
  • As Jesus is, so are we victorious in all things.
• From Earthly → Heavenly
  • Identity no longer defined by this world, but by eternal citizenship.
• From Temporary → Eternal
  • An everlasting place in the Father’s house, secure forever.

Overview:

Slavery vs. Family Freedom

• Jesus said: the slave has no permanent place, but the son belongs forever.
• Freedom is not just release from sin, but secure belonging in God’s family.

Family Identity with Jesus

• Jesus redefined family: “Who are my brothers and sisters? Those who follow me.”
• We are chosen to be His brothers and sisters, sharing in His likeness and His life.

Adopted into Full Inheritance

• We were under law like children under guardians, no better than slaves.
• But Christ came at the right time — to redeem us and adopt us.
• Now, by the Spirit, we cry out “Abba, Father.”

Spirit Revelation of Identity

• We cannot grasp our sonship by intellect alone; it is revealed by the Spirit.
• The Spirit testifies with our spirit: You are God’s child.
• This identity shifts us from fear → belonging, striving → resting, wages → inheritance.

Promised Inheritance as Children

• The promises of Abraham belong to us in Christ.
• Being “in Christ” unites us beyond all human divisions.
• As grafted-in branches, we share the nourishment of God’s family tree.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for loving me and calling me Your child. I confess that at times I’ve thought and acted like a servant, trying to earn Your approval or fearing I wasn’t good enough. But today I receive the truth that I am fully adopted into Your family through Jesus. Holy Spirit, shine Your light in me. Remind me deep within that I belong to You. Quiet every voice of fear, rejection, or shame, and let Your voice be louder — the voice that says, “You are Mine.” I declare that I am not a slave to fear, sin, or the opinions of others. I am Your child. I have a place in Your house. I have an inheritance in Christ. I have freedom through the Son, and I have Your Spirit living inside me. Help me live every day from this identity — praying with confidence, walking in freedom, and loving others as one who is deeply loved. Abba Father, I am Yours, and You are mine.

Declarations of Child Identity in Christ

• I am not a slave to fear — I am a child of God.
• I have been adopted into God’s family, and He calls me His own.
• I belong in the Father’s house — I am not an outsider.
• I call Him “Abba, Father,” with confidence and love.
• I am an heir with Christ, and I share in His promises.
• I am chosen, not rejected — loved, not forsaken.
• I live in freedom, not in bondage.
• I walk in the Spirit, not in fear or condemnation.
• I am a brother/sister of Jesus, part of the family of God.
• I share in the rich nourishment of God’s household and His covenant promises.