CHILD OF GOD What is a Christian? The question can be answered in many ways, but the best answer I know is a Christian is one who has God as Father. If you want to judge how well a person understands Christianity, find out how much he makes of the thought of being God’s child. If this is not the thought that prompts and controls his worship and prayers and his whole outlook on life, it means that he does not understand Christianity very well at all. For everything that Christ taught and everything that makes the New Testament new and better than the old, everything that is distinctively Christian as opposed to merely Jewish, is summed up in the knowledge of the Fatherhood of God. “Father” is the Christian name for God. In Romans Paul speaks of righteousness, remission of sins, justification and adoption. Justification is a forensic idea, conceived in terms of law and viewing God as judge. But justification does not of itself imply any intimate or deep relationship with God the Judge. But contrast this, now with adoption. Adoption is a family idea, conceived in terms of love and fellowship. He establishes us as His children and heirs. Closeness, affection and generosity are the heart of the relationship. To be right with God the Judge is a great thing, but to be loved and cared for by God the Father is a greater. “To as many as received Him, to them gave He power,” (not inward strength, but authority, right or privilege) “to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” This (being a child of God) is a higher privilege than of justification, as being founded on a closer and more endearing relation, “Behold! what manner of love the Father hath bestowed on us, that we should be called the sons of God.” The entire Christian life has to be understood in the terms of adoption. Sonship must be the controlling thought at every point. Jesus’ teachings confirm the fact. Jesus always thought of Himself as Son of God in a unique sense and He always thought of His followers as children of His heavenly Father, members of the same divine family as Himself. Early in His ministry we find Him saying, “Whoever does God’s will is My brother and sister and mother.” Even at the end of His ministry, after His resurrection, these are the first words He spoke, to Mary. “…go to My brothers and say to them, I am ascending to My Father and your Father…” NOW, maybe you’ll understand the ministry of the ‘Spirit of adoption!’ 1) He makes and keeps us conscious, sometimes vividly conscious, always conscious to some extent, that we ARE God’s children by free grace through Jesus Christ. This is His work of giving faith, assurance and joy that you are a child of God! 2) He moves us to look to God as to a father, showing toward Him the respectful boldness and unlimited trust that is natural to children secure in an adored father’s love. This is His work of making us cry, “Abba, Father!” 3) He impels us to act up to our position as royal children by manifesting the family likeness (conforming to Christ), furthering the family welfare (loving the brethren) and maintaining the family honor (seeking God’s glory). This is the work of sanctification. 4) Our adoption shows us the meaning and motives of holy living. The King wants His royal children to live lives worthy of their paternity and position. “Be holy, for I am holy” is our Father’s Word to us. Do I, as a Christian, understand myself? Do I know my own real identity? My own real destiny? I am a child of God! God is my Father! Heaven is my home! Every day is one day nearer. My Savior is my brother! Every Christian is my brother too! Say it over and over to yourself first thing in the morning, the last thing at night and all through your day! This is the Christian’s secret to a happy life! May this secret become fully yours and fully mine!
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