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“He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God” (John 1:10-13)

Many people have negative memories of their childhood (or present) relationships with their parents, particularly their fathers. So when the Bible speaks of God as our Father, we may cringe at the language, recalling our earlier hurts or present pains. It may be difficult to think of God as “Father,” even though the Bible is clear that all who “believe in His name” become “children of God” (John 1:12). We should take care that our view of God is not colored by our experiences with other people. God Himself, the good, loving, caring and faithful Father, is the standard of measure, not the other way around.

But what does it really mean to be a “child of God?” We are not sons and daughters of God in the same sense that Jesus is Son, for Jesus is “God’s one and only Son” (John 3:18). In the same way that there are many fathers in the world but only one Father in heaven, God has many sons and daughters in the world, but only one begotten Son, Jesus.

However, the metaphor of being children can help us understand our new relationship with God that occurs when we are “born again” (John 3:3).

We do not become God’s children by our own deeds, because “in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith“ (Galatians 3:26), just like we are not physically born by our own effort.

Therefore, what should our response be when, by God’s grace, we become His children? We are told to “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children” (Ephesians 5:1). In fact, we know that “The one who won’t practice righteous ways isn’t from God, nor is the one who won’t love brother or sister” (1 John 3:10, The Message). This is not a rigid requirement of a strict and unyielding usurper, but rather indicates the willing response of someone who has been reborn and considered a true legitimate child of our gracious and loving God.

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1)

Question: Do barriers stand between you and your Father in heaven? How can we overcome our pasts in the knowledge and presence of our Savior?

About this Author: Darren Hewer