The One Truth That Changes Everything About Your Leadership

Why Your Identity as a Son or Daughter of God Matters More Than Your Title

Hey, I’m Pastor Chris, and welcome to Faith Unplugged! Here, I share real-life insights on faith, family, and leadership. If you enjoy the content, consider subscribing for free or paid access or even buying me a coffee to keep these articles coming. Let’s grow together in faith and leadership!

I've heard these words more than once in my life:

"To be a leader, you must first be a son of the King."

That statement carries so much weight. It speaks of identity, relationships, and a foundation that every leader must have. But if I’m honest, for a long time, I didn’t know what that actually meant. How do you learn to be a son when you've never really seen it modeled? What does it look like to walk in that identity?

Here’s my challenge:

• I grew up without a father.

• My stepfather was self-destructive.

• The leaders I looked up to in the church were inspiring but didn’t finish well.

• Most of my friends had complicated, strained relationships with their fathers.

In those circumstances, you learn to rely on yourself. You become independent, sometimes out of necessity. And the idea of being a son—of trusting, receiving, and living in that identity—felt like something foreign, something for other people.

I had no frame of reference for what it meant to be a son.

But here’s what I’ve learned: the more time you spend with God, the clearer it becomes.

It didn’t happen overnight. It took years of unlearning old habits and allowing God to redefine what "Father" means. It took wrestling with Scripture, struggling through prayer, and choosing to believe that I wasn’t just a servant—I was a son.

Romans 8:15-16 (ESV) says:
"For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God."

God wasn’t just calling me to serve Him. He was calling me to know Him as Father—to trust Him, to rest in Him, and to walk in the confidence that comes from being His.

I’m still learning. I don’t have it all figured out. But I do know this: the more time you spend with your Father, the more you understand who you really are.

Let’s dive in and learn what it means to be a son or daughter of the King.

What does it mean to be a son or daughter of the King?

We don’t just carry a fancy title when we say we are children of the King—we are stepping into a life-changing reality. Think about it: the God who created the universe, the One who spoke light into existence, calls us His sons and daughters. That’s not just a religious idea or a poetic metaphor - it’s the foundation of our God-given identity.

When we truly grasp what it means to be God’s children, it shifts everything—how we see ourselves, how we relate to Him, and how we walk through life. We’re not outsiders trying to earn His approval or servants working for His favor. We are His beloved, welcomed into His presence with open arms. This means we can approach God with boldness, knowing He delights in us (Hebrews 4:16). It also means we don’t have to live weighed down by fear, insecurity, or striving for worth—because our worth is already established in Him.

And here’s the beautiful part: as His children, we don’t just receive His love; we begin to reflect it. The more we live in the truth of our identity, the more our lives naturally shift to align with the values of our Father’s kingdom. Our decisions, our prayers, our relationships—all of it starts to look different when we truly believe we belong to the King.

It’s About Relationship Over Status

When we put our faith in Jesus Christ, something incredible happens—we are adopted into God’s family. This isn’t just a legal transaction or a distant, impersonal arrangement. It’s a real, living relationship with the Creator of the universe. We don’t serve God out of obligation, as if we are mere workers in His kingdom. No, we are His children—His beloved sons and daughters.

Romans 8:15-17 (ESV) makes this clear:
"For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him."

Think about that—we call Him Abba, a term of intimacy that’s similar to calling Him “Dad.” That’s how personal this relationship is. And because we are His children, we have direct access to Him at all times. No red tape. No waiting in line. No fear that we’re bothering Him. Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” We can boldly approach our Father because He loves us, delights in us, and welcomes us into His presence.

Galatians 4:7 (ESV) reinforces this truth:
"So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God."

We are not just followers of Christ - we are heirs in His kingdom. That changes everything.

It Comes with Authority and Inheritance

Being a child of the King isn’t just about security—it comes with authority. When Jesus spoke about the kingdom of God, He wasn’t just talking about a distant future reality. He was showing us what it means to walk in God's power and promises right now. As God’s children, we are given spiritual authority to stand against the enemy and claim the inheritance He has promised us.

Luke 10:19 (ESV) records Jesus saying:
"Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you."

That’s a bold statement. Jesus wasn’t saying we would never face challenges—He was saying we don’t have to live in fear because He has already won the victory. Many believers live as though they are powerless when, in reality, they carry the authority of their Father. When we pray, speak the truth, and declare God’s promises, we exercise the authority that comes with being His children.

Romans 8:37 (ESV) reminds us:
"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us."

A child of the King doesn’t walk in defeat—they walk in victory.

It Means We Represent the Kingdom

When you belong to a royal family, people recognize it. You carry yourself differently, not in arrogance, but with an awareness of who you are and what you represent. As children of God, we don’t just bear His name—we reflect His character.

1 Peter 2:9 (ESV) says:
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."

We are not meant to blend in with the world. We are called to shine, to be different, to show people what it means to be part of God’s kingdom. That means choosing love when the world chooses to hate, standing for truth when it’s inconvenient, and walking in righteousness even when no one is watching.

Jesus said in Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV):
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Our lives are meant to reflect the glory of our King.

It Calls Us to Live Differently

If we are royalty, we should live like it. That doesn’t mean wearing crowns or demanding special treatment—it means setting our hearts and minds on things above rather than being consumed by the temporary things of this world.

Romans 12:2 (ESV) instructs us:
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

The world will try to pull us into fear, comparison, and selfishness, but as God’s children, we have a higher calling. Colossians 3:1-2 (ESV) says:
"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."

Our identity as sons and daughters of the King means we walk with purpose, knowing that everything we do is part of a bigger story.

It’s About a Secure Identity

So many people struggle with identity—trying to prove themselves, searching for acceptance, or battling feelings of unworthiness. But when we know we are children of God, all of that striving can stop. Our worth isn’t based on our accomplishments, our past, or what others think about us. It’s based on whose we are.

John 1:12-13 (ESV) tells us:
"But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God."

That’s the truth we need to hold onto. No failure, no mistake, and no lie from the enemy can take away our place in God’s family. When we are in Christ, we are secure.

Romans 8:38-39 (ESV) reassures us:
"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Nothing can take away the love our Father has for us.

Walk Like Royalty

Being a child of the King isn’t about pride—it’s about confidence. It’s about knowing who we are and living like it. We are loved. We are chosen. We are empowered. And we are called to bring His kingdom to the world around us.

So the question is—are you living in that truth? Are you embracing your identity as a son or daughter of the King? Or are there areas where doubt, fear, or insecurity still try to keep you from walking in it?

God’s invitation is open. He’s already called you His child. Now it’s time to walk like it.