Child of God

Child of God

What does it mean to be called, a child of God?

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child defines child as, "A human being below the age of 18 years unless under the law applicable to the child, majority is attained earlier." This is ratified by 192 of 194 member countries.

In looking at the definition above, this perspective focuses on a child mainly through the consideration of the age of an individual, rather than lineage.  In our discussion we will focus on our lineage through Jesus Christ to God.

This lineage started with the covenant between God and Abraham with it being fulfilled and fully recognized through the sacrifice of Christ.

Today we will be talking about what is meant, when the bible refers to the believer as a child of God. We will discuss the biblical doctrine of the elect, the origin of the Abrahamic covenant, and how it relates to our current understanding as a believer.

Finally, we systematically identify, who we are, how we came to be and how we can be sure of our lineage in God.

Understanding that in all things, it is God who defines His children, prepares their path to reconciliation, and validates both.

So, let’s get started.

God’s election of man.

Scriptures

Deuteronomy 6:10-12 [Covenant Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob]

Deuteronomy 7:1-12 [Covenant Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob cont’d]

Genesis 12:1-4 [Covenant Abraham]

Genesis 17:1-2, 18:10, 21:1-3 [Covenant Abraham]

Hosea 1:1-11 [Unfaithful to God]

Hosea 3:1-5 [Return to God]

Amos 9:7-10 [Always a remnant of God’s people]

Isaiah 10:20-22 [Always a remnant of God’s people]

Romans 9:1-26 [God’s election through Mercy & Grace]

In reading the scriptures above we find the origin of God’s people. Through Abraham God promised an inheritance, of a people, from the world. This inheritance was promised to Abraham but subsequently realized in Isaac, then Jacob.

God’s people were initially reconciled through the Law given to Moses by God but in that, the people established, never fully committed to God.

As a people, we are unable to meet the requirements, that are set, to be God’s people. Therefore, it is only through the mercy and grace provided by Jesus, that we are adopted [Galatians 4:4-7] into God’s family.

This adoption sets God’s people apart from the people of the world, as God’s elect. A remnant [Romans 11:2-5] to remain present in this world until the end.

So now, let’s continue to prove this through the scriptures.

God’s elect.

Scriptures

Ephesians 1:4-5 [God’s elect predestined]

2Thessalonians 2:13-14 [First fruits]

Matthew 24:22,31 [The Elect]

Luke 18:7 [The Elect]

Titus 1:1 [The Elect]

1Peter 1:1-2 [The Elect]

Matthew 13:24-30 [Parable of the Weeds]

John 15:15-25 [Jesus talks to God’s elect]

Romans 12:1-2 [Living Sacrifice]

In reading the scriptures above we find the concept of God’s people explained clearly and concisely. God chose His people from out of the world, and He continues to maintain them throughout the generations.

In God, His children must live in this world but are directed not to conform to the image of this world. God’s children are to conform to the image of Jesus. Jesus is our example, the only example, and the perfect example of God’s reconciliation.

If we are careful to follow Jesus’s example, obedient to conform to God’s message, and steadfast to endure in His ministry, we are children of God.

In closing, as a child of God, we only need to offer ourselves daily, as a living sacrifice. We need to continue to follow God’s instruction, continue learning of Jesus’s example, and continue to listen to the Holy Spirit.

This is the path to reconciliation. The path of God’s children.

God Bless and Keep You always

JASONRapz