Children of God
Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known.
1 John 3:2
Do we really know what it means to be God’s children, to be in the family of God, to receive grace, forgiveness, protection of our souls, the Holy Spirit, and knowing Heaven is our home? The difference between being in the family of God and not being in the family of God is the difference between darkness and light.
We are in God’s family when we receive the indwelling Holy Spirit, and when we strive to live by the Spirit. We receive the Spirit when we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior with a repentant heart. Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).
The Holy Spirit is our connection to heaven where the Lord intercedes for us to the Father. It is the Spirit that renews our mind and changes our heart to that of Christ. As we learn the language of God from the Word, we will seek guidance by the Spirit to make Godly wise choices. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:25).
But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one (2 Thessalonians 3:3). Living in God’s family we have power over the evil one and we will never be tempted beyond our ability through Christ to overcome. You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world (1 John 4:4). And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it (1 Corinthians 10:13). These two scriptures are promises from God that are available only to those in his family.
Life in God’s family gives us a divine feeling of security knowing we are connected to the Lord, the power to overcome temptations, and forgiveness when we fall short and come to him with Godly sorry. Our security is greatly increased and our fear is greatly decreased because we know our eternal life is with Father and the Son in Heaven. He anointed us, placed His seal on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a pledge of what is to come (2 Corinthians 1:21-22).
Living in God’s family is the best life we can possibly live while on this planet, and we look forward to the perfect life in Heaven when we leave this world. The Lord has put his Spirit in us, filling us with his love, peace and joy that continuously feeds our soul. And he sends his angels to protect those in his family.
Living in God’s family is living in fellowship with the Lord and with our Christian family, but living outside God’s family we live without these divine benefits, both in this life and in the eternal life. Living outside of God’s family we are our own god and the Lord sees us as prideful. God opposes the proud, But gives grace to the humble (1 Peter 5:5).
Today remember you are in God’s family, you are infinitely loved, and your soul is protected by the Father and Son. You have the Lord’s power and guidance to overcome the world. Everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith (1 John 5:4).
Prayer: Lord, help me to always remember that I am in your family, and to live with a thankful heart. Guide me to live for Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit that my life will be pleasing to you. In Jesus name, Amen