Children of God

Children of God

Although God is the Father of all (Mal. 2:10, Acts 17:29, 1 Cor. 8:6, Eph. 3:15), the phrase “children of God” usually refers to believers (John 1:12, Rom. 8:16-17, 21, Eph. 5:1, Php. 2:15, 1 John 2:12, 13, 18, 28, 3:1–2, 7, 9–10, 18, 4:4, 5:2, 18–19, 21, 2 John 1:1, 4, 13, 3 John 1:4). “It is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise” (Rom. 9:8).

We become a child of God by receiving Jesus (John 1:12), and we receive Jesus by believing that he is the Christ and the Son of God (1 John 5:1). The Holy Spirit within testifies that we are children of God (Rom. 8:16).

The children of God know God as their heavenly Father (1 John 2:13), and carry his spiritual DNA or seed (1 John 3:9). They have received forgiveness of sins (1 John 2:12), and are in the habit of practicing righteousness (Php. 2:15, 1 John 3:7-10) and walking in truth (2 John 1:4, 3 John 1:4). They trust and obey their Father who loves and protects them (Eph. 5:1, 1 John 3:1, 5:2, 18). The children of God are overcomers by nature (1 John 4:4) and co-heirs with Christ (Rom. 8:17).

Christian, you are a dearly-loved child of God (Eph. 5:2). You are not a servant, but a son or daughter of the Most High, and he will never cast you away. But take your eyes off your loving Father and you may be tempted into dead works and end up confused about your identity. As dearly-loved child, your primary job is remain in him (1 John 2:28). Let nothing move you from the secure position you have in Christ.

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