Children of God (Identity in Christ, part 4)
Question #4. Who are we in Christ?
We are beloved children of Almighty God.
"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children." (Ephesians 5:1)
"But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, [13] who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1:12-13)
"See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. [2] Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is." (1 John 3:1-2)
"But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, [26] for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith." (Galatians 3:25-26)
"But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, [5] to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. [6] And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" [7] So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God." (Galatians 4:4–7 )
Read
Romans 8:12-17; 2 Corinthians 1:20-22; Ephesians 1:11-14; 1 Peter 1:3-9. What is the role of the Holy Spirit in making us children of God? How does the idea of an inheritance relate to being children of God? What is our inheritance in Christ?
Discuss or Meditate
What are some ways a mom and dad care for their children? By comparison, what are some ways God cares for His children? What are some reasons children should love and be grateful for their parents? By comparison, what are some reasons God's children should love and be grateful for God? How does being a child of God shape the rest of your life? Contemplate the importance of a child's humble obedience.
For Prayer and Remembrance
Praise God and give Him thanks for his mercy, by which He has made us His children. Call upon God to daily remind you of who you truly are: In Christ, you are a child of God. Sin is not your master, Jesus is.