Definition and Identity

The term "God's Children" refers to individuals who have entered into a familial relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ. This concept is rooted in the belief that through spiritual rebirth, believers become part of God's family, enjoying the privileges and responsibilities that come with this divine kinship.

Biblical Foundation

The identity of believers as God's children is a central theme in the New Testament. In the Gospel of John, it is written, "Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12). This passage underscores the transformative power of faith in Christ, granting believers the status of God's children.

The Apostle Paul further elaborates on this concept in his epistles. In Romans 8:14-17, Paul writes, "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!' The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him" . This passage highlights the intimate relationship between God and His children, characterized by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the assurance of inheritance alongside Christ.

Characteristics and Responsibilities

As God's children, believers are called to reflect the character of their Heavenly Father. The Apostle John emphasizes this in his first epistle: "See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is" (1 John 3:1-2). This passage speaks to the transformative love of God and the future hope of becoming like Christ.

Moreover, being God's children entails a call to holiness and obedience. In Ephesians 5:1-2, Paul exhorts believers, "Be imitators of God, therefore, as beloved children, and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God" . This call to imitation reflects the moral and ethical standards expected of those who bear the identity of God's children.

Inheritance and Hope

The status of being God's children carries with it the promise of a future inheritance. As Paul notes in Galatians 4:6-7, "Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, 'Abba, Father!' So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, you are also an heir through God" . This inheritance is not merely material but encompasses eternal life and the fullness of God's kingdom.

The hope of God's children is ultimately realized in the eschatological promise of being united with Christ. In Revelation 21:7, it is declared, "The one who overcomes will inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he will be My son" . This promise assures believers of their eternal relationship with God and the consummation of their identity as His children.

Conclusion

The concept of God's children is foundational to understanding the believer's relationship with God. It encompasses the transformative power of faith, the call to live in accordance with God's character, and the promise of a future inheritance. Through Christ, believers are adopted into God's family, enjoying both the privileges and responsibilities of this divine kinship.