Children of God – Did you ever wonder what it means to be a child of God? If you grew up in the 70s, don’t get all hipster on me right now, flower power and peace and all that. I am talking about actually being a child of God, Biblically.
Isn’t everyone a child of God?
No! Jesus challenged the Jews by telling them that their father was the devil. How could they have been children of God if their father was the devil? Jesus clearly taught that not everyone is a child of God. Jn. 8:31-44
What is a Child of God?
So, how can we better understand what the Bible means by a child of God?
Paul gives us an outline of our status with God before we became His children through Jesus.
First, Paul says that we were separate from Christ. We weren’t expecting a messiah or savior. We didn’t even know that we were on our way to God’s judgment.
The Child of God is brought near to God by the blood of Jesus Christ.
Second, Paul tells us that we were excluded from citizenship in Israel. As Gentiles, we could never fully be a part of what God is doing.
The Child of God becomes a member of God’s body, His church.
Third, as Gentiles, we are excluded from all of the covenants and promises from God to His people.
The child of God is included in the New Covenant and all of God’s promises.
Fourth, we had no hope in ever-changing this situation, as we were eternally separated from God.
As a child of God, we are rescued from darkness and translated into the Kingdom of Jesus.
Finally, we made many gods for ourselves but were without access to the one true God. Hopelessly alone and lost.
As a child of God, we are forever part of God’s kingdom through Jesus Christ, our Lord, and Savior.
We have much to be thankful for!
Ephesians 2:19–22 (NASB95)
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.
