Children of God have privileges

31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 33 They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? 34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. 35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

How do we become God’s children? Through faith in Jesus Christ.

We become God’s children by new birth

John 1:12–13 KJV 1900

12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Galatians 3:26–27 KJV 1900

26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

See also Jn 12:36; Ro 9:8; Ga 3:26; 1 Jn 5:1

We become God’s children by adoption

Ephesians 1:5 KJV 1900

5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

Galatians 4:4–5 KJV 1900

4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

See also Ro 8:23 This adoption will be fully realised in the future; Ga 4:4–5

We become God’s children by the Spirit

Romans 8:15 KJV 1900

15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Galatians 4:6–7 KJV 1900

6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

How does God deal with his children?

God loves his children

1 John 3:1 KJV 1900

1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

Psalm 103:13 ESV

13 As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.

Ephesians 5:1–2 KJV 1900

1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

God disciplines his children

Deuteronomy 8:5 KJV 1900

5 Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the Lord thy God chasteneth thee.

Proverbs 3:11–12 KJV 1900

11 My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; Neither be weary of his correction: 12 For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; Even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

Hebrews 12:7–10 KJV 1900

7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? 10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

God does not abandon his children

Deuteronomy 31:6 KJV 1900

6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Hebrews 13:5 KJV 1900

5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Malachi 3:17 KJV 1900

17 And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, In that day when I make up my jewels; And I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.

Ho 1:10 God had previously (Hos 1:9) announced his judgment that Israel would be his people no longer.

See also Dt 31:6; Dt 31:8; Jos 1:5; Heb 13:5; Je 31:9; Mal 3:17; Lk 15:24; Ro 9:26

How does God expect His children to behave?

God expects His children to imitate their Father

Ephesians 5:1 KJV 1900

1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

Matthew 5:48 KJV 1900

48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Luke 6:36 KJV 1900

36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

God expect His children to live by their Father’s standards

Philippians 2:15 KJV 1900

15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

See also Le 11:44–45; Dt 14:1–2; Mt 5:9; Mt 5:44–45; Ro 8:14; 2 Co 6:17–18; 1 Pe 1:14–16; 1 Jn 3:10

What are the privileges and blessings of being God’s children?

God’s children are safe when they obey.

John 8:35 KJV 1900

35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.

Romans 8:16 KJV 1900

16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

1 John 5:19–20 KJV 1900

19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. 20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

The needs of God’s children are always supplied

Matthew 7:9–11 KJV 1900

9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? 10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

See also Mt 6:25–32 needs for the present life; Lk 20:36; Ro 8:23 promises for the life to come

God’s children have a sure inheritance

Romans 8:17 KJV 1900

17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

1 John 3:1–3 KJV 1900

1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

Revelation 21:7 KJV 1900

7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

See also Je 3:19; Ro 8:17–19; Ga 4:7; 1 Jn 3:2

God’s children are never alone!

Hebrews 13:5–6 KJV 1900

5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Genesis 28:15 KJV 1900

15 And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.