Being a child of God is a privilege. Often people misunderstand the term and think that all of humanity are children of God because we were created by Him. While God created all of us in His image and loves us, the Bible tells us that being a child of God is not our default status.
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.”—John 1:12 (emphasis added)
Here we see that there are certain people that God gave the right to become children of God. Those people are the ones who have received Him and called on His name to be saved from their sins.
Being a child of God is more than a label. It’s a position of royalty, favor, and blessing. Being one of God’s own means a position of sonship, humility, and leadership. It’s a character-shaping journey that brings to light who you are in Jesus and leads to your purpose for His kingdom. As one of God’s children, you have a family and access to your Creator and Heavenly Father.
Child of God, the Lord says this to you…
“’I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.’”—2 Corinthians 6:18
To Be a Child of God Means…
What does it mean to be a child of God? When you accept Christ as your Lord and Savior, your life is changed and you are set apart to be used by Him. You are redeemed, forgiven, welcome into God’s presence, and so much more! Here are three parts of your status as a child of God and what the Bible says about it:
You are Adopted (gathered into the family; chosen)
- “…just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will…” —Ephesians 1:4-5
- “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.” —Galatians 4:4-5
You are an Heir (legal to inherit the kingdom; royalty)
- “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus…And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”—Galatians 3:26; 29
- “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 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 8:16-17
Sons & Daughters (treasures of His heart)
- “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!”—1 John 3:1a
- “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”—Romans 8:14-15
How Does a Child of God Act?
A Child of God Builds a Relationship with Him
If we have a Father/son or Father/daughter relationship with God, then we should act like it. God doesn’t do in-name-only relationships. He wants you to know Him, to talk with Him, to love Him as He loves you.
As treasured children, He prizes it when we run to Him with everything we experience. Just like good parents here on earth want to hear about our day, what we are up to, our needs, our wants, and our dreams, God the Father wants you to pray to Him about anything and everything. There is no part of your life He does not want to be a part of. Prayer is one way we can deepen our relationship with our heavenly Father and learn more about what it means to be a child of God.
Another way God has allowed us to deepen our relationship with Him is through reading His Word. The Bible is how God communicates to us so we can know Him. When we study God’s word, we learn more about Who He is, more about His heart, His ways, and His desires. Through reading the Bible we also learn more about how our heavenly Father sees us.
A Child of God is Obedient
1 John 3:10 talks about the marked difference in the way children of God live versus the way children of the devil live. This verse is not saying to try to earn our position as a child of God, but is pointing out what a child of God looks like in everyday life.
This marked difference is twofold. You can tell if someone is a child of God if they live righteously and if they love others. We don’t live righteously to become children of God; we live righteously because we are children of God.
Jesus said that if we love Him, we will keep His commandments (John 14:15). Obedience, or righteousness (being right with God), is how we show our love for Him. 1 John 4:19 pin-points how we are able to love God: we love Him because He first loved us.
- “We love Him because He first loved us.”— 1 John 4:19
As children of God, we are not left to love and obey in our own strength. Jesus showed us the depth of His love when He died on the cross to pay for our sins. We are given the power to live righteously and love deeply because we operate out of the abundant love of our heavenly Father. It is His love for us that gives us the ability to live the life of His child.
A Child of God Welcomes Correction
As a child of God, biblical correction is a gift. The Bible says that those who accept correction are wise and those who reject it are foolish. The Bible is the first source of correction. It provides instructions and tells you the instructions are good for you. His correction leads to restoration!
The enemy uses correction to plant seeds of condemnation in the hearts and minds of men. Fortunately, the Word of God is sharper than a two-edged sword and can split condemnation from conviction, revealing biblical correction. Ask God to give you a heart that welcomes correction, not seeing it as a failure but as an opportunity for growth.
- “If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.”—Hebrews 12:7-8
- “Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects; therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty.”—Job 5:17
- “Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my mind and my heart.”—Psalm 26:2
- “Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.”—Proverbs 9:8
A Child of God Has Faith
During His earthly ministry, Jesus’ love for children was evident. One time, Jesus’ disciples tried to keep children away.
- “But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.’”—Mark 10:14
Another time, Jesus told us that unless we become as little children, we will by no means enter the Kingdom of God (Matthew 18:3). What was Jesus trying to teach us here? Children with good loving fathers trust Him without hesitation. Their father knows best, is big and strong, and can overcome anything. Well, our heavenly Father knows best, is awesome in power, and can overcome Satan, sin, and death. Trust Him without hesitation as His son or daughter and look at Him in awe.
Closing Thoughts
Guard against the enemy – he will aim to attack your identity. If Satan can’t keep you from joining the family of God, then he will try to keep you from walking in your standing as a redeemed and adopted child of God.
Remember who you are. Once you belong to Christ, you are no longer who you used to be. You are a new creation – a new person with a new name and a new identity.
Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” God has brought you back to what He created you to be: His precious and incredibly loved son or daughter. You were adopted, chosen, and brought into God’s family. Walk in the confidence and knowledge of His love for you, His child.