Romans 8:13-17,26-28
Paul is writing to believers in Christ in Romans 8. And when we get down to verses 13-17 he tells us in a number of ways that because we are Christ-followers being led by the Spirit, we are children of God. Verse 16 lays it out pretty plainly. "The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. . ."
Now we hear and use that phrase--children of God--a lot in Christian circles. Yet I'm not so sure how much thought or consideration we give to it, aside from recognizing that when we receive Christ we become part of a family of believers.
So what does being a child of God mean to you? How would you explain it to someone who doesn't yet know Christ? Tami W.
The phrase "child of God" is grossly misused in our world. How often have you heard, "we are all children of God" used in reference to everyone in society? Yet, the Bible says that only those who are adopted into God's family through Jesus Christ are "children of God". To me being a child of God means protection, security, blessing and all of it at all time. It means that I have the opportunity and privilege to have an intimate relationship with the creator and sustainer of the universe. Nothing better than that.
Being a child of God defines my worth and heritage. Since God is the King of Kings and I am His son then I am royality. Whatsmore, since I am a child of God, I should resemble my father in spirit by the Spirit. We should resemble in mercy, love, holiness and all the fruits of the Spirit.
You are so right johnathan God is who should define who we are to bad I sometimes foget that.
This is what it means to me and I guess how I would explain it.I don't belong here.My Father in heaven has bought my way to the world in which I do belong.I am a child of God so I am to live my life here in wait till He comes and gets me.In all my ways acknowledging Him as my Father means not putting to much in to this world but in to the world to come.Amen
I'd say if your a Child of God. He leads you out of your fears of this world. He sends people. Even songs on the radio that touch and help you to follow Him. He is very gentle in His teaching. I have been delivered from so many things and he will you too if you seek him. That is the key thing to seek Him you find Him and He leads you gently. I struggled as a young christian with the authoritarian voice, thinking that was God. But now know He has authority but He doesn't beat us up. We do ourselfs. And letting go of that is a wonderful thing.
These passages have meant more to me since I adopted a child from an orphanage myself. I know my child now has a sense of identity and security he lacked for all the years he was alone. He has experienced love, although whether he knows love in its fullest dimension is still a work in progress. His life has a purpose and meaning, and is filled with relationships of value. Most of the time, he acts like other children, taking these changes for granted. But there are times he says, "I love you. Thank you for giving me a family." In those moments, I catch a glimpose of how I should relate to my heavenly Father. He chose me as the recipient of his identity, security and love, and enabled me to be blessed with relationships of eternal value. Too often I carry on, as if this were deserved, never giving it a second thought. How much it would please my Father, just as it pleases me, to hear expressions of gratitude and thanksgiving for the privilege of being part of His family.