Sonship/daughtership

From Hebrews 6: "It is our earnest wish that every one of you should show a similar keenness in fully grasping the hope that is within you. We do not want any of you to grow slack, but to follow the example of those who through sheer patient faith came to possess the promises."

Notice that last turn of phrase: "who through sheer patient faith came to possess the promises." Sometimes, personally, I wonder if I'm just "keeping the faith" to... keep the faith. The writer of Hebrews is talking about faith and promises that can be possessed... and not just in heaven when we die. We go on:

"When God made his promise to Abraham he swore by himself, for there was no one greater by whom he could swear, and he said: ‘Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.' And then Abraham, after patient endurance, found the promise true."

But, you see, the difference between Abraham and us is that Abraham was promised a son from God while we, in receiving the Son of God, have now received all the promises. Father Abraham may have "had many sons, many sons had Father Abraham"... but you and I are sons and daughters of God.

Ephesians 1:4-6 - “…before the foundation of the world he chose us to become, in Christ, his holy and blameless children living within his constant care. He planned, in his purpose of love, that we should be adopted as his own children through Jesus Christ — that we might learn to praise that glorious generosity of his which has made us welcome in the everlasting love he bears towards the Son.”

That is not a series of future potential wishful thoughts; those are present, available promises that are your new-birthright. Those promises are who you are!