Are we all God’s Children?
Are we all God’s children? This is something I have heard talked about from time to time. I have, through personal conversations or through sermons heard people say, ‘we are all God’s children.’ I certainly don’t question the priceless value of each and every human being, but are we really all children of God?
In Genesis 1, on day 6 of creation, God makes a declaration: “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.” So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:26-27 NLT)
Each and every person was created in God’s image. We are made to be reflections of the very One who created us. This is something that did not happen to any other creature, both physical creatures that live on earth, nor any of the angels. What an incredible privilege!
When we read the beginning of the Gospel of John, we come across this statement: “But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.” (John 1:12-13 NLT)
This Scripture tells us that even though we are all made in the image of God, only certain people are children of God. Who are those people? Those who believe who Jesus is and accepts that Jesus is the son of God.
What is amazing about this, however, are two things. Firstly, God paid a high price for us to be able to be given the right to be His children. Read these verses slowly and soak in them. “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. So, we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.” (Ephesians 1:3-8 NLT)
Isn’t that incredible! The second amazing fact about this, is that we don’t have to earn this right and privilege. “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NLT)
It is a precious gift, freely available to all people made in the image of God – that is every single person that walks the face of this earth. That gift is the right to become God’s own child, which is possible because God paid a heavy price, and is ours when we believe that Jesus was that price. This is the amazing news that is the Gospel.
To some of us, this might seem like a basic truth to remember. However, if you are anything like me, you might need reminding of those foundational truths from time to time. Because of God’s grace, you and I are His very own dearly beloved children.
To others, this might be something completely new to you. Perhaps you have never heard about this opportunity available to us. If that is you, know that you are so loved by God that He purchased the right for you to become His child, by Jesus willingly sacrificing himself to die on a cross. He rose again after three days, and now has given you and I the opportunity to believe Jesus is who he says he is. What God does is give everything. All we need to do is accept that gift by believing.
If that is you, feel free to reach out! I’d love to encourage you and walk alongside you as you take that journey.