7 Titles the Bible Gives Believers

"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is." - 1 John 3:1-2

We are told in verse one that we are members of God’s family. Then, verse two states who we will be like, which reflects God. The fact that God loves us and calls us His children is the foundation of our sense of self-worth. When people accept Jesus Christ into their hearts, they become a child of God. We do not have to wait until we reach heaven. We should find encouragement to live as Jesus did by knowing we are His children. (Romans 8:14-17; Galatians 3:26-27, Galatians 4:6-7)

As we travel through life on our Christian walk, it is a procedure that takes us through stages to become more Christ-like (Romans 8:29). We will not be finished with this process until we stand before Christ (1 Corinthians 13:12; Philippians 3:21).

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“Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and our's:” - 1 Corinthians 1:2

A person feels wanted and welcome when they receive a personal invitation. With the phrase “Called to be saints,” we are personally invited into God’s eternal kingdom as citizens. But Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the only one who can redeem us from our sins so that we can enter His Kingdom. We are “sanctified” when we are set apart by Christ to serve Him. To accept God’s invitation is to accept His Son, Jesus Christ, and to put your faith in His work on the cross of Calvary to remove our sins.

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“And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass that a whole year, they assembled themselves with the church and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.” - Acts 11:26

An unusual mix of Jews (those who spoke Greek or Aramaic) and Gentiles made up the young church at Antioch. The fact that the believers here were the first to be referred to as Christians (or Christ-ones) is significant because the only thing they shared was Christ, not race, culture, or even language. Christ can unite people from across all cultural and ethnic boundaries.

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 ‘For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.” - Hebrews 2:11

Those who have been cleansed and made holy (sanctified) by Jesus Christ and designated for God’s service now have the same Father as Jesus. Thus, He is not afraid to refer to us as “brethren.” There are a variety of psalms that anticipate Christ and His work in the world. The author cites a portion of a messianic psalm, Psalm 22:22, in this passage. Jesus refers to all believers as His brothers because God has adopted them as His children.

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 “To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.” - John 10:3

Here, I believe that the porter represents the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit uncovered the sheep’s ears so that they could hear His voice, and the sheep answered. Just as a shepherd will care for his sheep, placing them in a sheepfold and even sleeping in the fold with them. Jesus cares for His flock, those who have called upon Him and follow Him.

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“For the kingdom of heaven, is as a man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants and delivered unto them his goods.” - Matthew 25:14

We have been given responsibilities that undoubtedly coincide with our individual abilities, talents, and gifts. We are to be faithful servants, doing what the Lord has called or directed us to do. It does not matter if we are a preacher, a teacher, a deacon, a church secretary, a janitor, or whatever the case may be. We are to live justly, to live holy, and to live uprightly. 

We are to be Situated in the Lord, we are to be Saturated in the Word, and we are to be Separated from the World. God did not call us to be CEO, Chief Executive Officer of the church, but Combat Effect Officers…spiritual workers. It is not about the pay, position, prestige, perks, or promotions; it is about our sacrifice, servanthood, soldiering, and soul-winning.

A servant is a worker. And where and how we are working should be questions every Christian should ask themselves. Have we failed at being a servant? Have we failed in our evangelism? Just look at what the world is offering and giving to people.

We support the church building the music programs, and our church capabilities might have expanded. However, the soul-winning has diminished. Instead of training disciples to go out into the world, we have been too preoccupied with making the church look like the world and pleasing to the world. The individuals who teach the Gospel, the people who preach the Gospel, the individuals who witness the Gospel, and every other believer ought to be a living example of the Gospel.

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“Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.” - John 15:15

Since Jesus Christ is Lord and Master, He ought to call us slaves. However, He calls us His friends instead of calling us slaves. It is ameliorating and consoling to know that He calls us His friends. Our obedience to Him as Lord and Master ought to be unconditional and blind, but Jesus asks us to obey Him out of love.

We are expected to adhere to the attributes of the title we are given, regardless of what it is.

Church Hymnal, page 386, I’ll Be a Friend to Jesus

1. They tried my Lord and Master, With no one to defend; Within the halls of Pilate, He stood without a friend.
2. The world may turn against Him, I’ll love Him to the end; And while on earth I’m living, My Lord shall have a friend.
3. I’ll do what He may bid me, I’ll go where He may send; I’ll try each flying moment, To prove that I’m His friend.
4. To all who need a Savior, My friend I recommend; Because He brought salvation, Is why I am His friend.
5.  I’ll be a friend to Jesus, My life for Him I’ll spend; I’ll be a friend to Jesus, Until my years shall end.

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