Family: Children of the Father

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him”

Luke 15:20

Our identity as children of God the Father fulfills a deep human longing for belonging and love. James K.A. Smith reflects, “So many people on the road of life are looking for their fathers… What to make of this father hunger other than a deep longing to be seen and known by the One who made us?” This hunger, often intensified by absent or distant earthly fathers, finds its ultimate answer in the parable of the prodigal son, where a compassionate Father runs to embrace His lost child.

Through Jesus’ work, we are adopted into God’s family. As Paul writes, “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here” (2 Cor 5:17). This new identity as God’s children transforms how we live. We are called to love others as family, reflecting the Father’s extravagant love. For example, a family in our church sold their “dream home” to provide a safe living space for a single mom, treating her as a sister because they had experienced Jesus’ love.

Living out this family identity means seeing neighbors, coworkers, and missional community members as brothers and sisters. It challenges us to ask: How can I love others as God loves me? By sharing meals, opening our homes, and caring for those around us, we embody the Father’s love, inviting others to experience His family.

Servant: Submitting to King Jesus

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me”

Matt 28:18

Jesus, the Son, is the King who came not to be served but to serve (Mark 10:45). As His servants, we are called to submit every aspect of life to His rule, offering our bodies as “living sacrifices” (Rom 12:1). This servant identity reorients our daily lives—work, relationships, and community—as acts of worship to Jesus.

Paul urges us, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Rom 12:2). As servants, we look for where things are broken and serve to bring God’s restoration. This might mean helping a neighbor unload groceries instead of relaxing or sacrificially serving a missional community meal with our best, reflecting Jesus’ generosity.

Our servanthood points to Jesus’ ultimate humility. As one church family demonstrated by waking early to create a hospitable space for worship, we serve joyfully because Jesus first served us. Practically, this identity asks: Where has God placed me to serve others as Jesus served me? By feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, or including the disconnected, we give a foretaste of Jesus’ kingdom.

Missionary: Empowered by the Spirit

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses… to the ends of the earth”

Acts 1:8

Baptized in the name of the Holy Spirit, we are missionaries, sent to proclaim the Gospel with the same Spirit that empowered Jesus. Charles Spurgeon boldly stated, “Every Christian is either a missionary or an imposter.” This identity transforms how we see ourselves—not just as neighbours or coworkers, but as sent ones, bearing witness to Jesus in every sphere of life.

The story of Jim Elliot, who gave his life to share the Gospel with the Waodani tribe, exemplifies this missionary calling. Despite danger, Elliot and his team trusted the Spirit’s leading, ultimately seeing many Waodani come to faith. Their sacrifice reflects Jesus, who left His glory to seek the lost.

Living as missionaries means going into the “darkness” like Jesus, building relationships with those unlike us, and rearranging our lives for God’s mission. It might look like inviting a non-believer to coffee to share your story or hosting a neighbourhood block party. The Spirit empowers us to love boldly, asking: To whom has God sent me, and how can I share His love?

Living Out Our Identity

As followers of Jesus, our identity—as children of the Father, servants of the Son, and missionaries of the Spirit—shapes every moment of our lives. It calls us to love and welcome like family, serve sacrificially, and proclaim the Gospel boldly. As James K. A. Smith writes, “At the heart of the madness of the gospel is an almost unbelievable mystery… to be seen and known and loved by a father.” And the mind blowing truth that this identity is available to any who call on the name of Jesus! This mystery propels us to live as a family of servants on Jesus’ mission, inviting others into the love and restoration of God’s kingdom.

“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”

John 1:12–13