Advent Day 3: Jesus Came to Make Us Children of God

"But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, 

he gave the right to become children of God, 

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

Jesus came to make us children of God.  That statement assumes what many people deny.  Not everyone is a child of God.  We hear the phrase all the time, "We're all children of God."  But, John says only some are given that right - those who believe in the name of Jesus.

Now, to give the benefit of the doubt, what most people mean when they use the phrase "children of God" is that we are all created by God.  They're pointing to the biblical truth that we're all created in the image of God (Gen. 1:26) - all of us; regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, geography, size, age, or shape.  Every human being bears the image of God and should be valued and treated with dignity and respect.  And, while we can all agree on this truth, we should be careful with the language we use.

The Bible defines "children of God" in a different way.  It means more than just being created in his image.  In fact, the Bible tells us that instead of being born as children of God we are born as enemies of God, "For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life" Romans 5:10. The Bible tells us that we were hostile to God, "And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds" Colossians 1:21.

Therefore, since we are not naturally children of God, we have to become children of God, as John 1:12-13 says.  And, there are incredible blessings attached to being a child of God.  Those who are children of God are actually co-heirs with Christ himself, "The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ" Romans 8:15-16.

Don't rob yourself of this glorious reality by believing you are a child of God apart from Christ.  John 1:12 tells us that if we believe in Jesus we will be children of God.

This Christmas, praise God for sending Jesus as a child so that you might become a child of God.

Advent Day 1

Advent Day 2