We Are Children of GodHow great is the love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called children of God.
And that is what we are!
- 1 John 3:1
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One of the quintessential questions that theologians and philosophers have pondered for thousands of years is the question "Who am I?" This question has been debated in the halls of universities, but also within the walls of the human heart. Each of us has likely had the experience of standing in front of the mirror and asking the question "Who am I really?" In the midst of the competing expectations placed on us by our culture and society, family and friends, and even the church, it is often difficult to discern the essence of who we are.
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The New Testament is abundantly clear that through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus we are given a new spiritual identity - child of God. The image of God that was present in humanity at the beginning of creation, but which has been tarnished and hidden by sin, is now being revealed and restored in each one of our lives. Our lives are meant to display the likeness and character of God.
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This new identity is an essential part of our mission in the world, because unless we know who we are, we will perpetually struggle to fulfill what we are called to do. In the spiritual life, identity precedes purpose.
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We are sent into the world as children of God, sons and daughters of God, with the mission of proclaiming the lavish and extravagant love of a lavish and extravagant God!
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A child grows up to look like his parents. Similarly, God wants His children to become more and more like Jesus Christ.No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother” (1 John 3:7-10).
ReplyDeleteThe rewards of being God’s child are immeasurable. As God’s child, we are a part of His family (the church), promised a home in heaven, and given the right to approach God in prayer as Father (Ephesians 2:19; 1 Peter 1:3-6; Romans 8:15).