Have you ever wondered what it means to really be a child of God?
To try and answer the question in the Old Testament can be quite cryptic and confusing because the word that gets used for sons or children is used for other meanings like old, young, stranger, subject (of a king). So, though a study of the subject would be interesting and extensive, we will avoid the Old Testament for today’s presentation.
Turning to the New Testament and Covenant we find the converted referenced as children of God...
1 John 3:2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
G5043
teknon
tek'-non
From the base of G5098; a child (as produced): - child, daughter, son.
We also find another familial word that is not subject to interpretation.
Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Rom 8:29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Rom 8:30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
G80
adelphos
ad-el-fos'
From G1 (as a connective particle) and δελφύς delphus (the womb); a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like [H1]): - brother.
So we learn in these verses that those who receive the Holy Spirit are called right here and right now the children of God and brethren to each other and Christ (Hebrews 2:11).
This concept was still believed into the second century before the concept of Trinity came along.
Quote from Irenaeus, a second-century bishop: “There is none other called God by the Scriptures except the Father of all, and the Son, and those who possess the adoption [i.e., sonship as God’s children]” (Against Heresies , Book 4, preface).
So, are we really God’s children when we receive the Holy Spirit, or is this some sort of figurative language, some sort of platitude? Some might say we become angels. Others might say we become adopted children, meaning we are not “really”, kind after kind, God’s children.
Let’s investigate...
Becoming angels is a misconception common in Christendom among the laity, but it is widely understood in mainstream theology that we don’t become angels. So, let’s, for the moment, focus on adoption. The Bible references adoption, but what does it mean?
Rom 8:13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
Rom 8:15 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."
Rom 8:16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
Rom 8:17 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.
G5206
uihothesia
hwee-oth-es-ee'-ah
From a presumed compound of G5207 and a derivative of G5087; the placing as a son, that is, adoption (figuratively Christian sonship in respect to God): - adoption (of children, of sons).
So, it’s a concept related to having been someone else’s child which is adopted into another family.
John 8:44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.
Satan is the god of this world (2Co 4:4) and referred to here as the father of willful sinners.
EXAMPLE: Made of flesh whose father is the devil, repent, baptized, Holy Spirit, made of flesh whose father is God.
...But we are also a new creation.
2 Cor 5:16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer.
2 Cor 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
When we remove the dead man, the man of flesh from the calculation, we are a new creation, known not as adopted but begotten (or conceived).
Turn to 1 John 5...
1 John 5:1 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him.
1 John 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments.
G1080
gennaō
ghen-nah'-o
From a variation of G1085; to procreate (properly of the father, but by extension of the mother); figuratively to regenerate: - bear, beget, be born, bring forth, conceive, be delivered of, gender, make, spring.
Sperm – Egg – Embryo
Our own groaning is associated with the groaning of birth pangs in Romans 8:22-23
In properly defining our familial relationship with God we are made aware of just how precious is our very existence. It’s just one facet of a larger picture that defines our purpose. It’s crucial that you and I grow in the grace and the knowledge of God, for it is through God we find our incredible destiny.
If you are here seeking God, if God our Father is drawing you to the Savior, Jesus Christ, or if you have already responded, it is imperative as time goes by that you and I understand our priceless value to God, and part of that understanding is believing we really are the children of God.
