God's Children

Isn’t it great to be able to say that “I am a child of God?” Everyone should long to be recognized as a faithful child of His. God made it possible for us to become His children by His deep love for us. John writes: “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1). God cares so much for those that He has created in His image, that He wants all to be saved. “who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). Unfortunately, not everyone will be saved because not everyone is God’s child. Only the children of God will have the opportunity to have eternal salvation.

Who Are God’s Children?

Since only the children of God will be saved, it is very important to know who the children of God are. Only those that receive Jesus Christ will be His. In John 1:12 it says: “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:” One only has the “right” to become God’s child when one believes on Jesus Christ. When one believes on Christ then one will repent of their sins (Acts 2:38; 17:30), confess Jesus as being the Son of God (Acts 8:37; Matthew 10:32; Romans 10:10), and then be baptized into Jesus Christ for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; Galatians 3:27; 1 Peter 3:21; Mark 16:16). When one follows these steps then one is born into the family of God and one becomes His child. Yes, one must be “born again” into the family of God, the “kingdom of God” in order to be a child of God. Jesus said: “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). How precious it is to be a child of God!

Why Be A Child of God?

The apostle Paul writes: “and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together” (Romans 8:17). We learn from this verse that it is God’s children that are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. Only the heirs of God will be allowed entrance into heaven. Luke writes: “But those who are counted worthy to attain that age, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage; nor can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection” (Luke 20:35-36). In order for us to enjoy the glories of heaven we must be a child of God. Only His children will gain an inheritance to heaven which is achieved by being led by the Spirit here on earth. Paul clearly writes that “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God” (Romans 8:14). Every child of God and a true disciple of Christ understands that they must keep themselves pure and holy in His sight as they labor and toil upon this earth, knowing that one day they will be with the Lord if they remain faithful until death (Revelation 2:10).

What is the Duty of the Child of God?

Every individual who puts on Christ in baptism understands that they have certain duties that they must now fulfill in their life and service for God. Every Christian strives to imitate God. The apostle Paul writes: “Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma” (Ephesians 5:1). The way one learns to imitate God is to learn about God, which can only come through the reading and studying of His word, the Bible. The child of God learns that God means more to them than anyone or anything (Matthew 10:32-39). Children of God should be so thankful that Jesus came and gave His life for them that they would want nothing more than to live for Him, letting their lights shine brightly for Him each and every day. Jesus Himself said: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). May every Christian strive to always let their lights shine brightly in the world around them as they live FOR Jesus and God the Father each and every day of their life.

Sin Separates Everyone from God

The person who believes in God wants to always enjoy their fellowship with Him, yet the consequences of sin is separation from God. The prophet Isaiah said, "...your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you so that He will not hear" (Isaiah 59:2). The consequence of sin is that it causes us to be separated from God. A person is lost because of his sin. The apostle Paul stated, "The wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). Death means separation, so the sinner is separated from God. This is true whether or not you have once become a Christian. Some human creeds tell us that you cannot fall from grace but this is contrary to Paul's clear statement in Galatians 5:4. A Christian may be cut off from the fellowship of God. The terrible consequence of sin is that it causes God to withdraw Himself from His children. God does not desire it; but justice demands it, and God cannot deny Himself. I encourage you to seriously think on these things because the Bible, the Word of God is always right.

Praying to God

The prophet Daniel prayed to God three times daily (Daniel 6:10). This godly man serves as an example to each one of us, showing us that it is important that we communicate with God on a continual basis. Without prayer we fail to bring ourselves into the full enjoyment of the blessings of God’s kingdom. 

The Sincere Desire of the Heart

We learn from scripture that our prayers to God are sincere desires from our own heart. Paul wrote in Romans 10:1, “Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.” Paul was expressing a desire in his heart that Israel be saved. Our prayers should be addressed to God our Father, expressing the desires of our heart and we must do so in faith without doubting (James 1:6-8). Christians must realize that prayer is an acknowledgment of the all-sufficiency of God and our own dependency upon Him. When we truly realize and recognize this then our prayers will truly be from our heart.

The Importance of Christians Praying

Christians realize that God does not hear the prayers of sinners (John 9:31). Therefore the Christian understands the true value of prayer for the righteous. We know that God does answer prayer and therefore when we pray we pray expecting God to answer, even giving us greater things than we can ask or think (Jeremiah 33:3; Ephesians 3:20-21). Prayer creates an attitude in the Christian that brings peace to the heart. As we study our Bible on a daily basis we gain a deeper and better understanding of our Father. Likewise, when we pray to God on a daily basis, this creates a closeness with our Father and keeps us focused on striving to please Him in all things. Pray to God — because prayer is not conquering God’s reluctance, but laying hold on His willingness!

The Christian's Growth in the Lord

Once an individual puts on Christ in baptism, they should be determined to please God in all aspects of their life. But before one can begin to grow, one must first possess an attitude that says; “I want to grow as a Christian in order to be pleasing to God.” We are going to be discussing several areas in which a Christian is to grow in the Lord, but before one can grow, one must have a good attitude, WANTING to do God’s will in all things. We all must understand that it is not so much what a person knows or is able to do or possess, but rather the question is what kind of person am I. Perhaps all of us have witnessed only too often an ugly spirit or attitude that has brought great harm. A bad attitude can spoil almost any situation. On the other hand, a good attitude can enhance, or make right almost any adverse condition that may exist. Therefore, in order for a Christian to grow in the Lord, one must first have a good attitude, wanting to be a faithful child of God in ALL things.

In What Are We to Grow?

The apostle Peter writes that Christians are to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ...” (2 Peter 3:18). Many Christians are not grounded in Christ mainly because they simply have not gained knowledge of our Lord. There is only one way in which we can gain knowledge and that is through study (Romans 10:17; 2 Timothy 2:15). If Christians would devote time to study and meditation of God’s Word, then they will be able to grow so as to be pleasing to God. We are also instructed in 2 Thessalonians 1:3 and 2 Corinthians 10:15 to grow in faith. The more faith that we have the stronger our love and devotion to God is. A Christian must strive to grow in knowledge and faith.

How Can We Grow?

Before we can grow in order to be pleasing to God, we must FIRST put away worldliness. We must truly be transformed from our old ways to a life of service and devotion to Christ (Romans 12:1-2). Wickedness, guile, hypocrisies, envies, evil speakings, etc. must be done away with (1 Peter 2:1). We cannot begin to grow while holding on to worldly appetites! We can only grow when we are determined (right attitude) to learn of God. We must “desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2). The Christian that desires to please God wants to know everything they possibly can about what God expects of them (1 Corinthians 3:2; Hebrews 5:13-14). It is through the knowledge of His Word that we also learn to speak the truth concerning His Word. The apostle Paul writes; “but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ” (Ephesians 4:15-16). The more we know then the more confidence we gain in teaching others the TRUTH of His Word.

Unto What Shall We Grow?

Every Christian should desire to grow in the Lord in order to obtain salvation. Although we will never be perfect, we can certainly strive to be perfect (Matthew 5:48). Eternal salvation will only be realized by those individuals who are devoted to serving and obeying God. The Christian knows that their body is a holy temple. Paul writes “in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit” (Ephesians 3:21-22). Therefore Christians know that they will treat their body in a way which is pleasing to God. The body (the temple), grows into subjection to God’s will as the Christian with a good attitude understands that their body is the temple and that the body and the spirit is God’s. “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). To glorify God in our body we must grow to understand that we cannot do anything to our body that would be displeasing to God (Matthew 5:16). 

Why Should We Grow?

We must possess an attitude of growth in the Lord because it is commanded (2 Peter 3:18). Our growth in faith and love causes thanksgiving. Paul wrote: “We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other” (2 Thessalonians 1:3). When we grow in the Lord we become strong. The more we learn, the more we are able to receive the solid food of the gospel of Christ (1 Corinthians 3:2). May we all possess an attitude that says “I want to be pleasing to God in all things.” I want to encourage all of us to constantly examine ourselves to ensure that we are doing all things according to the will of God (2 Corinthians 13:5). If so, then we are continuing to grow in the Lord.

Are We Following the Lord?

There are some individuals that claim to be “followers of the Lord” yet they do not heed everything that this encompasses. To follow after the Lord takes total dedication on our part, putting Him first in all things! The disciples were ready to follow Him, they dropped what they were doing, in order to follow Christ. “So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him” (Luke 5:11). It takes a sincere commitment on each of our parts to ensure that we are following Him daily. Jesus should ALWAYS be first in our life. The scriptures teach: “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23), and “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).

The true disciple of Christ understands why they should follow Jesus. The Christian knows Jesus. John 10:4 says: “And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.” To be worthy of Christ, we must understand that He is first and foremost in our lives and as a result, we prove this by the way we live each and every day. As Jesus called His disciples, He is calling us today. He wants us to listen to His invitation to be faithful stewards in His kingdom. He wants us to be soul-winners as were the early disciples and apostles. Are we ready, willing, and able to do the work that we have been challenged to do? Jesus knows if we are only honoring Him with our lips (Matthew 15:8). Let’s make sure that our heart is tuned in to do the work in which Jesus has asked us to do. Are we really following the ways of Jesus?