See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.
1 John 3:1-2 ESV
Who are you? You can identify yourself in many ways. But what is your primary source of identity? Which is most valuable to you? Is it your family? Job? Education? Accomplishments? Wealth?
The Scripture points to the most significant identity we can ever have as being God’s sons and daughters. What does that mean, being God’s children? Some people will say that we are all God’s children – in a sense, that is correct because God is our Creator and, therefore, our Father.
But 1 John 3 speaks of fatherhood in a very different way; it speaks of us being God’s children in a very personal and intimate manner. When we receive Jesus in our hearts and repent of our sins, we become God’s very own children, with special access, authority, protection, and inheritance that not everyone can have.
But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor the will of the flesh nor the will of man, but of God.
John 1:12-13 ESV
As God’s children, we have our Father’s authority – when we face various trials and difficulties in life and our service, we can meet them as sons and daughters who bear our Father’s power. We can command our unruly emotions, wrongdoing, etc. We can intercede for our needs and the needs of our brothers and sisters and reach out to others as someone who bears the King’s authority.
We also have unique access to God – He will never be too busy for His own dear and beloved child, especially in our time of need. We can be confident that when we pray, God hears us, even if our prayers seem unanswered. Our Father knows what is best for us, even if some of our prayers do not go our way. As our Father, God’s protection for us is as strong as any army can be.
We will inherit all God has by being God’s sons and daughters. We will own what God owns – and He has everything. We will possess heaven, God’s very courts, and we will be there forever. We will be co-owners of the universe – and beyond. We do not have to chase after riches in this life – we are rich beyond our imagination because we will inherit God’s Kingdom.
Being God’s beloved children will have far-reaching and eternal consequences for those who receive Christ in this life. The Father promises a life without pain, suffering, sorrow, and death – for eternity. Imagine that – it changes everything. We can face all the hardships, challenges, trials, distress, and pains in this life – knowing that this life is only temporary. Life does not end in physical death – it is only a passageway toward our true life in God. One day, we will say it was worth it – like a mother who gives birth to a baby, once the baby is born, she values more the birth of the child than her previous childbirth pains.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
1 Peter 1:3-5 ESV
Have you grasped the meaning of becoming God’s children? Have you understood the value and worth of belonging to God’s family? The consequence has eternal repercussions. And it is worth the wait.
This reflection first appeared in the Lamb of God Chronicle Newsletter for July 2023.
Top image credit: composite selection of three photos of intergenerational parents, children, and grandparents, left and right photos from Bigstock.com, center photo courtesy of Marilyn Henry. All used with permission.
Tom Caballes is a National Coordinator of the Lamb of God, a community of the Sword of the Spirit with seven branches located throughout New Zealand. Tom and his wife Mhel and their two daughters [with his son-in-law and grand-daughter] live in Wellington, New Zealand.