THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF SONS
“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” Matthew 5:44-45 NIV
The New Testament believer is called a son in God’s kingdom (Galatians 4:7). And just as in your earthly father’s house, there are responsibilities you cannot be exempt from, nor can they be delegated to a servant.
In our theme scripture, Jesus illustrates this by calling us to pray for our enemies, just as God sends rain on both the righteous and the unrighteous. This is not because God overlooks the harm people may cause, but because in His divine wisdom, His heart always prioritizes the salvation of a soul above our natural impulses or feelings. Matthew 5 records Jesus’ most well-known sermon.
In it, He addresses offenses that we often consider the most unforgivable—divorce, murder, broken oaths, adultery—yet with each, Jesus directs us toward a peaceable resolve. Child of God, this reminds us that as sons, we must keep our own house in order when we come before our Father. Whether it’s forgiveness we need to extend, peace we need to make, or encouragement we need to offer—these are responsibilities we carry before seeking answers from God as though they were owed to us regardless of our conduct.
We extend grace and honor because we are sons, not in order to become sons. Selah!
Prayer: My Father, I thank You for calling me into Your family and making me a son through Christ. Help me to live responsibly in Your household, quick to forgive, ready to make peace, and willing to extend grace as You have shown me grace. Keep my heart aligned with Yours, that I may reflect Your love even to those who oppose me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
CI.
RELATED RESOURCES
• Romans 8:14
• 1 Peter 3:8
• Ephesians 5:1
