Spiritual Orphans and Spiritual Sons

And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Matthew 3:17

Your identity is the most fundamental aspect of your life. It defines you and your relationship with God, your family, and your community.  Identity drives your character and your behavior. This was true for Jesus Himself. In Matthew 3:17, as Jesus emerged from His baptism in the Jordan River, He was immediately identified as the Lord’s “Beloved Son.” God could have identified Him as “Messiah,” “Rabbi” or “Prophet,” but He instead labeled Jesus as His “Son.”