That We Should Be Called God’s Children
“...approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel ."


By Jon W. Quinn

 

When one obeys the gospel, he or she becomes a child of God. In this way, one becomes a member of God's spiritual household, or family. There are rights, privileges and blessings in the family, but there are also responsibilities. One of those responsibilities is to be true and loyal to our Father in every circumstance even when the world does not like it much. The Father's love is just too great to betray or despise (1 John 3:1).

Simply put, we must not allow those who do not know God dictate to us what our relationship to the Father ought to entail. They may say have no relationship with God at all. Or they may say let the relationship be distant and do not be fanatical about it (meaning: do not let it effect your life very much). I would hope that we reject such counsel. Our living hope as children of God ought to motivate us to press on toward a much more close, meaningful, happy and blessed relationship with the eternal Father.

Two Senses in Which One May Be a Child of God
There are different senses in which a human being is a child of God. One way is by right of creation. As descendants of Adam, every human being is a child of God in this sense (Acts 17:24-29). In fact, Luke traces the genealogy of Christ back to Adam, who then is referred to as “the son of God” (Luke 3:38). Every human lineage, if they were traceable today, would wind up at the same place. Somewhere, your lineage and my lineage and the lineage of Christ join into the same branch. The Bible believer truly believes in the concept "the brotherhood of man", and along with that, the implication of such ideals as love and respect for others, justice and equality.

Since the beginning, God has "breathed" of His life and image into every human being; first at creation (Genesis 2:7; 1:26-27), and then also again , as man multiplied himself, human parents would pass on their genetic physical traits and God would add of His spirit (Zechariah 12:1; Hebrews 12:9). These things are true for every human being, but being in God's spiritual family requires that we be "born again". This is a necessity if we are to see the kingdom of God. Being born only once is not enough. Jesus says a second birth is required (John 3:3-5).

Born Again into God Spiritual Family
Being "born again" involves being born of "water and the Spirit" (John 3:5). Not just water. Not just spirit, but both (Titus 3:5-7). Being "born again" involves being given the living hope of an unfading heaven (1 Peter 1:3,4) Such a living hope has true staying power which protects the faith of those who have it (1 Peter 1:5).

Being "born again" involves "obeying the truth" of God's word (1 Peter 1:22,23). Purification from sins come as we obey the gospel (Acts 22:16). Yes, everyone of us are God's children in one sense by bearing His image in our spirit, as human beings have done from the very beginning. But being counted as God's spiritual children, purified and living in hope, expecting to inherit the eternal heavenly kingdom, only come from being born again. "I didn't ask to be born!" That may be true concerning the first birth, but not the second birth.

Responsibilities in the Household of God
Change of Practice - Children of God No Longer Habitually Practice Sin.
We must no longer make a habitual practice of sin. We start aiming higher than that (1 John 2:28,29). With the word abiding in us, we seek to make application of it to the daily events of our lives. This helps us to overcome the habitual practice of sin, and sin itself becomes the exception, not the rule of our lives (1 John 3:7-10).

Brotherly Love - Children of God Love Others.
Our brothers in Christ become precious to us. There are to be shared laughter and tears, as is appropriate. There are mutual hopes and encouragement among the children of God (1 John 5:1).

Victorious Faith - Children of God Overcome by Faith.

There ought to be confidence among the children of God; an optimistic view of the future and the success it will bring, even in spite of perhaps present earthly realities that suggest earthly hopes may not be attained. Salvation and victory is of the Lord(1 John 5:4).

Knowing God - Children of God Come to Know the Father .

As we become more like the children God our Father desires us to be, we become more like Him. We learn of Him through His word, and identify with Him as we take His word into our hearts and allow it to do its good work in our lives. (1 John 4:7).

Assurance Because of Greatness - God Versus Satan - God Wins!

 I may not ( and most certainly do not) have what it takes within myself to overcome to eternal victory except for one thing: if I have Christ in my heart, then I have all I need. My adequacy is from God, and it is enough! (1 John 4:4).

Conclusion
As God's spiritual children, we should reflect His image to the world. We make His characteristics a part of our character. We are not interested in treating our God and His message in a trivial way. We are not interested in leaving behind His care and purposes. He is not our personal fireman that we only call on in emergency situations.

Jesus gives the right to become children of God to those that receive Him (John 1:1-13). See how great a love God has for us that He would give us such a high honor and privilege? As a human being you bear the image of God within and are therefore a child of God in that sense. But have you been born into God's spiritual family? Have you obeyed His word? If so, rejoice and be glad! God loves and provides for His spiritual family!
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From The Bradley Banner 6/5/2011
Published by the Bradley Church of Christ
1505 E. Broadway