The Children of God

Articles

Jeremy Sweets
05/01/04 - Christian Living

“See how great a love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God” (1 Jn. 3:1). One of the greatest blessings we will ever know is the opportunity to be a child of God. Lonely and destitute, our adoption is according to God’s love and the kind intention of His will (Eph. 1:4-5). In a world where children are physically orphaned by death or abandonment, we have a Father in heaven that will never fail us. Galatians 3:26-29 provides some valuable insights into some ways that we are children of God.

We are children of God by faith.

Faith is a conviction in God that guides our actions (Heb. 11:1-2). It is an encompassing term that requires our complete submission and devotion. Leaving our stubborn and selfish desires, we must humbly submit to God’s will and live in faithful dependence upon our Lord (Matt. 16:24; 18:3-4). An innocent child in this world relies upon his parents, yielding complete trust. How much more should we trust our perfect Father in heaven?

We are children of God in Christ.

We can have a relationship with our Father because of the loving sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Our sins have separated us from God (Isa. 59:1-2). We deserve death for our rebellion, and we can offer no recourse (Rom. 6:23). Christ paid the price, however, so that we can be ransomed (1 Tim. 2:5-6). He died so that we might freely live. Through Jesus we can be forgiven, saved from the wrath of God (Eph. 1:7; Rom. 5:9). If we are “in Christ” we are children of God.

We are children of God by baptism.

Baptism is the divinely ordained method of becoming a Christian. Baptism is an appeal to God for a clean conscience (1 Pet. 3:21); it is where we come in contact with the blood of Christ (Rom. 5:9; 6:3); it is where our sins are washed away (Acts 22:16); it is a new birth into the kingdom of God (Jn. 3:3-5). When we are baptized, we put on Christ and become a child of God.

We are children of an impartial God.

Today, the world favors people that are rich, smart, or pretty. The prestige of one’s parents, the color of one’s skin, and the kind of clothing one wears influences people today. With God, it is different. God does not have favorite sons or daughters. Instead, we are all one in Christ Jesus. Our social status, gender, or wealth does not determine our Father’s love. We don’t have to feel rejected because of matters that we cannot control. God loves and accepts all of his children without showing partiality (Rom. 2:11; 1 Tim. 2:3-4).

We are children of God with promise.

As children of God, we are heirs of our heavenly Father, heirs according to promise. To His children, God has promised spiritual riches (Eph. 1:18), a prepared dwelling place (Jn. 14:1-3), and eternal life (1 Jn. 2:25). No lawyer, legal fine print, or tax loophole can keep us from this inheritance. God’s promises are sure. Knowing what awaits us should provide a tremendous amount of security and relief as we live this life.