Being God’s Child Gives a Different View

In today’s post we’ll be looking at what it means to be a child of God and a fellow heir with Christ.

As a child in Sunday school, one of the first things I remember learning was that I was a child of God. I have sweet memories of the way that knowledge made me feel. 

A mighty God who created the whole universe loved me? The One who created the sky, the birds and trees, and everything I could see was my Heavenly Father?

It was a pretty incredible realization. And it still is!

We know that God has only one begotten son, Jesus. Hence when a person becomes a Christian, God adopts them into His family (Galatians 4:4-5). We then become the Father’s child and a co-heir with Jesus, joining Christ in receiving all that has been promised as His inheritance. (Galatians 4:7)

“Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” (Romans 8:17)

Being God’s Child

It can sometimes be difficult for people who didn’t have a good childhood or relationship with their earthly father to be comfortable with being a “child” of God. Maybe you’re in that position. Perhaps this part of your spiritual identity is hard to enjoy.

Or maybe, like me, the being God’s child is accompanied by sweet memories of feeling loved in your growing up years. 

Either way, I promise this:  being a child of God carries much promise, joy, and hope. It is a beautiful thing! 

Regardless of earthly familial relationships, this heavenly bond is an example of what a good parent and child relationship should be. 

In God’s perfect fathering we see that our Good Father:

• Loves us! (John 3:16)
• Seeks us out. (Luke 19:10)
• Accepts us. (Romans 10:9-13)
• Disciplines us when we need correction. (Hebrews 12:6)
• Guides us. (Proverbs 3:6)
• Matures us to be more like Jesus. (Ehpesians 4:13-15)

Being God’s Child Changes Our View

Having a loving Father as our authority reminds us to obey. Today looks different when we remember that we’re accountable to God for our actions. 

We learn better than to look to this world for hope or fulfillment – instead, we know to look to God.

We can be encouraged to take care of ourselves since we know we are valued because our Father says we are! (Ephesians 2:20).  loved by my Father.

We view trials, tests, difficulties of life differently because we can know they are not because we have an unloving, cruel God. Instead, hardships are a fact of life in a fallen world; we experience them with a loving Father beside us, helping us and guiding us through. Trials can wean us from love for this world and ready us for an eternity with God in heaven!

Being co-heirs with Christ offers us the hope a rich, spiritual inheritance and the hope of heaven. Our eternity is secured by God’s gift: Jesus!

How does being God’s child change your view today? Do you have any memories or stories about being God’s child? Share your thoughts on this post in the comments.

Ali