We often hear in defense of lifestyle choices and immoral actions that, “We are all God’s children.”, which is not true.
John 1:12 KJV – “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”
God’s children are those who have received Him as Savior and Lord. They alone have the right to “become” His children. If you must through belief in His name “become” His child, it reveals that prior to that decision, you were not His child. We are all born in sin and alienated from God (Colossians 1:21). But through Christ, we are adopted as sons and daughters of the Most High.
At the time of Jesus, the Roman practice of adoption was very common and significant as it was customary for a father to leave his wealth to his son(s). If a suitable heir was not among them, then a young man who could manage the father’s wealth was sought out and adopted. All of his debts were forgiven and he would be given all the rights and benefits of a son. An adoption was irreversible.
This is what happened with us. Through Christ, our sin debt was forgiven, we became sons and daughters of God, and we now have all the rights and benefits as His children. It was also true in Roman culture that a father could disown his son, but an adopted son’s status could not be reversed.
Galatians 4:4-5 KJV – “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.”
We have been adopted by God. And we, as born-again believers, can say with assurance that we are children of God – and nothing can change that. Nothing can separate us from His love and no one can snatch us from His hand. That’s the best news we’ll hear all day!
Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!
