Monday, November 24

Children of God...


I often hear it said that "we are all children of God".   Sounds quite attractive, doesn't it? Inclusive.  Compassionate.  Conciliatory. Unfortunately, it just ain't so.

In order to find the truth of the matter, we look to John 1:12, "To all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God."  The "him" John refers to is Jesus, and only Jesus.   The Amplified Bible expands on the verse in this way, "But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, rely on) His name." Contrary to public opinion, we are not all children of God.  Scripture clearly states there is a qualifier:  belief in and acceptance of Jesus.  John goes on to say in verse 13, "They are reborn!  This is not a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan -- this rebirth comes from God."   This is God's doing ... and there is no other way!  We cannot become a child of God by doing good things. We cannot earn a relationship with God, nor can we earn kinship.  The kid down the street does not become my kid by mowing my lawn every other week.  Giving money to good causes does not make someone a child of God. Studying theology does not make someone a child of God. Being "spiritual" or even joining a religion does not make someone a child of God. Created in the image of God, yes; related to God, not so much.

Russ and I have three children of our own.   They were born of us, physically speaking.   They did not choose to be our children ... they were chosen to be our children.  The fact that we birthed them determines that they indeed are our children. (I won't use this particular blog to address the topic of adoption, but will say that Scripture refers to us Gentiles as adopted children.)  Although we know many children, only three are our children.  I know who mine are not only because I gave birth to them, but also because we have this ongoing relationship.  They accept that I am their mother, and I accept that they are my children ... even when they are way too noisy.  I do not get confused when I pick up them up at school and mistake other children for mine.   I KNOW them!  I know what they look like and recognize their voices in the crowd.  And they know they are my children.  They trust me.  They rely on me... especially when it comes to doing homework.  

Russ and I love Sophia, Sam and Annabelle; we provide for them, teach them, shape them, and they give us tremendous joy.  There is no doubt in any of our minds that we are irrevocably related.  I am just as certain that God is my Father, and I am His child. God chose to give me new life through Jesus' redemptive work on the cross ... and I believe and accept.   How about you?

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