Introduction
Our identity within a relationship. One way to understand our identity is through the relationships we have or are part of.
Relationships rooted in creation (origin) and redemption (salvation). Relationships in terms of belonging.
Relationships involving possession and position. Possession is based on redemption, which means we are bought by the precious blood of Jesus and, essentially, owned by Him. The position relates to the level of intimacy we share and to our standing compared to creation.
This identity we have in Christ is that we are called “Children of God.” This identity allows us to connect and commune with God. It grants us the right to belong to God’s divine kingdom family, both on earth and in heaven, for eternity.
Once we know and understand our identity as children of God, this awareness will change how we see ourselves, live our lives, and treat our brothers and sisters in Christ.
We Are Children of God
1 John 3:1 (NKJV) 1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!
We are called children of God, which includes both sons and daughters, because of God’s love for us. This love from the Father — vast in both quantity and quality — causes us to be called children of God.
What an honour it is to be recognized as a son or daughter in God’s family. God demonstrated His love for us not only by saving us but also by adopting us into His family through Christ, which is His will and pleasure (see Ephesians 1:5).
This identity has changed our standing and status in our relationship with God, and how distinctly He makes us stand out from the rest of creation.
The phrase “we are children of God” reflects a reality that is current, continuous, and permanent, enduring throughout eternity. It is not about “we were children of God” in the past or “we will be children of God” in the future. It is now a permanent truth to believe and feel that you belong to God’s family as His son or daughter through Christ Jesus.
The Bible describes our relational identity in Christ as being called little children who are dependent and in need of care from our Father God (see 1 John 5:21).
It also instructs us to keep ourselves from idols, whether tangible objects like crafted idols or intangible idols in our hearts and lives that might attempt to replace or overshadow God as the highest priority. Just as little children adore and are inspired by superheroes, believers, as “little children” in a spiritual sense, should idolize God instead and strive to be like Him.
The Bible describes our relational identity as sons of God (see Romans 9:26), which includes both males and females, not just males (see Galatians 3:26). The term “sons” carries legal implications in adoption and inheritance.
When referring to the “sons of God,” it signifies the status of all Christians — male and female — who possess rights, responsibilities, and privileges related to access and inheritance. This understanding confirms that we are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ, legally and covenantally entitled to share in certain divine inheritances (see Romans 8:17).
The Bible describes us as children of freedom, not children of the bondwoman. We come from being enslaved by sin but are called into the liberty of being God’s sons and daughters (see Galatians 4:31).
Just as Hagar was a servant to Sarah, and Abraham entrusted all his inheritance to Isaac rather than Ishmael, so are we with God. Through faith in Christ, we are children of the promise, like Isaac, and we inherit God’s blessings as Isaac did from Abraham.
From Creation to Recreation in Christ
Children are naturally conceived from their parents’ DNA. Mankind originates from God, created in His image and likeness. Before the fall, humans were perfect (see Genesis 1:26–27).
Sin entered the world when Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s command, causing the fall of man. Afterward, our image and likeness of God became tainted because of sin.
Nonetheless, God’s salvation plan was made possible by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Consequently, anyone in Christ is a new creation (see 2 Corinthians 5:17). Although sin has distorted our image and likeness as God’s image-bearers, salvation in Christ restores it. Sin affected our identity, but salvation restores and the Spirit of God reaffirms our identity as children of God.
How We Become & Belong in God’s Family
We become children of God and belong as members of God’s family through our faith in Christ Jesus by receiving and believing in Him (see Galatians 3:26). Although the Galatian church was made up of Gentiles rather than Jews, because of our faith in Christ Jesus, both Jews and Gentiles have the right of divine sonship with God.
Being part of God’s family is open to everyone, as the Bible states in John 1:12–13: regardless of age, race, gender, social status, or background, anyone who receives and believes in Christ is eligible. Such people will be granted the right to become children of God — not by their own will or effort or anyone else’s, but by God and God alone.
Therefore, only through receiving and believing in Jesus Christ can anyone become a member of God’s divine family here on earth and also in heaven for eternity. The Spirit of God confirms, affirms, and reassures us by bearing witness with our spirits that we are children of God (See Romans 8:16).
The Kingdom’s Family Dynamics
Relationship, rights, responsibility, resemblance, and reputation flow from our identity as children of God.
Just as family members are related by blood, as believers in Christ, we also have a covenant relationship with God, made possible through the blood covenant of Jesus.
Our relationship with God as His children grants us unique rights that set us apart from the rest of His creation and even from the angels. These rights give us access, liberty, inheritance, and the promise of future glory.
The privileges bestowed upon us through Jesus affirm our identity as children of God. Furthermore, creation itself eagerly anticipates its liberation into the glorious freedom of God’s children (see Romans 8:21).
Our relationship with God as His children also includes His roles and responsibilities as a Father. As our Abba, Father, God is our superior, source, sustainer, strength, and support.
As our Father, He takes on roles such as provider, protector, and leader — similar to those expected of an earthly father.
Our relationship with God as His children also involves resembling Him by reflecting His character and representing His name, bringing honour to His reputation. If we bear God’s name, we should also bear God’s nature (see 1 John 3:2).
Independence and Dependence
Note that we are seen and valued as children of God, not as adults of God. In God’s kingdom, there are no adults or elders; everyone is regarded as a child. We are not seen as adults because we are not independent. Our identity as children of God comes from our dependence on Someone greater — our superior, source, sustainer, strength, and the support of our existence — who is God.
Authority and Accountability
We are seen and valued as children of God, which means we are under someone’s authority, and that someone is God. We are seen and valued as children of God, which means we are accountable to someone, and that someone is God.
The Beloved and the Brethren
As children of God, we are the beloved, meaning we are truly and dearly loved by God (see Romans 1:7; 1 John 3:2; Romans 12:19).
Additionally, as children of God, we are brethren — fellow Christians connected through the blood covenant of Jesus in a spiritual way (see Galatians 4:31; 1 Corinthians 1:11; 1 John 3:13). God does not have just one child; He has many children. Therefore, Christians, being children of God, are also brothers and sisters to each other through faith in Christ, forming part of God’s divine family both on earth and in heaven.
Summary
In John 1:12–13, there is a promise that anyone who receives and believes in Jesus has the right to become a child of God.
Romans 8:16 assures us that the Holy Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we belong to the family of God.
Being children of God: understanding the importance and impact on our lives and others. It involves our relationship with God, the rights that stem from that relationship, the roles and responsibilities of God as our Father, the resemblance of God in us — His nature — and the reputation of God through us — His name.
1 John 3:10 (NKJV) In this, the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.
Let’s conclude by not merely claiming to be children of God but also living a life that reflects this high calling. God desires us to stand apart from the children of the devil through the manifestation of our deeds. As His children, He expects us to resemble Him in His righteousness and to carry His name in bringing glory to His reputation.
How do we distinguish between the children of God and the children of the devil? The children of God and the children of the devil are revealed through their fruits:
The fruits of the children of the devil show they do not practice righteousness (see 1 John 3:10). They do not love their brothers or sisters. They are crooked and perverse (see Philippians 2:15).
Fruits of the Children of God reflect the traits of God’s family.
Children of God practice righteousness, and they love one another (see 1 John 3:10). They do all things without complaining or disputing, and they are blameless and harmless (see Philippians 2:14–15). They are obedient and holy, just as their heavenly Father is holy (see 1 Peter 1:14–16).
Therefore, let our character (attitudes, actions, and approaches) reflect God’s nature — His righteousness in us — not just to carry God’s name (His reputation to the world).
Contributor: Brahim M. Kallon (Wisdom Grace)
