Christian Identity: WE ARE CHILDREN OF GOD

Christian Identity: WE ARE CHILDREN OF GOD

Discover your identity in Christ and why being called children of God is a present and eternal reality.

Chapter Markers
- 0:00 Introduction to Our Identity in Christ
- 5:15 The Foundation of Love in Our Sonship
- 10:30 Creation, Fall, and Redemption
- 15:45 The Role of Faith in Becoming Children of God
- 20:00 The Holy Spirit's Affirmation of Our Identity
- 25:30 Rights and Responsibilities as God's Children
- 30:00 Resemblance and Representation of God
- 35:15 Conclusion: Living Out Our Identity in Love

Transcript

Identity Through Relationship In Christ

SPEAKER_00 0:00

We're looking at our identity in the context of a relationship. One way to derive our identity is through the relationship we have or are in in Christ Jesus. A relationship rooted in creation, our origin and redemption. Relationship in terms of belonging, relationship in possession or position. Possession in terms of our redemption and ownership because we are redeemed by Christ's blood and Christ owns us. Position in terms of our level of intimacy and representation of God. This identity in Christ that we have that is based on relationship is that we are called children of God. This identity enables our connection, our communion with God. This identity grants us the right to belong to God, this divine kingdom family on earth and also in heaven for eternity. We are called children of God out of love. So love is the foundation of us being called children of God, sons and daughters of God. According to 1 John chapter 3, verse 7, behold, what manner of love that the Father has bestowed on us that we should be called children of God. Because of the manner of love that God the Father has for us, that is why you and I we are called children of God. So our sonship with God is now and forever. It is present and eternal. The word doesn't say we were children of God, meaning in the past, or we will be children of God, meaning in the future. No, we are children of God. That is our present state, our present condition, our present position, and this position, state, and condition and relationship that we have with God as our Father, and we are his children, is also eternal forever. So let's look at from creation to recreation in Christ. In a natural sense, children are conceived from their parents' DNA. Mankind initially originated from God. We are God's image and likeness, that is our identity from creation. Just as children are conceived from their parent DNA, you and I we were we were conceived from God's DNA. Then after the fall, that is that is when sin came about. After the fall, our image and likeness of God got distorted because of sin. So the original creation, we were perfect. When sin took place, our our identity has been the image and likeness of God was distorted. But glory be to Jesus Christ, glory be to God. Salvation made it possible. That is why Jesus Himself will use this term that old things have passed away, new things have come. So what he's trying to emphasize is that you were once like this, but something happened, but now you know what? I am gonna do a recreation. Look what it says in 2 Corinthians, Corinthians chapter 5, verse 17. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, it is a new creation, all things have passed away, behold, all things have become new. So, because of salvation, you and I we are new creation of God, and the goal is for you and I to get back to being that image and likeness of God. So sin distorted our image and likeness as bearers of God, but salvation in Christ restored our image and likeness. So sin distorted our identity, but salvation restored our identity. Now you're asking yourself how we became or belong or we are still becoming in God's family. We became part of God's family, being called children of God through faith by believing. It says in Galatians chapter 3, verse 26, Oh, you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. That also includes daughters of God. So you and I we are children of God, daughters of God, sons of God, as a result of our faith in who? In Christ Jesus. That is why our identities are in Christ Jesus. Your identity is not in anybody else, your identity is not in something else, your identity is specifically in Christ Jesus. So when you are in Christ Jesus, you have the right to become a child of God. Look what it says in John chapter 1, verse 12 to 13. But as many has received him. Again, this identity of sonship, this identity of being a daughter, it's open to everyone, it's open to everyone. It does not matter your gender, it doesn't matter your race, it doesn't matter your social status, it doesn't matter your educational background, it doesn't matter anything. The only thing that matters is your faith in who? In Jesus Christ. The Bible states, but as many as received him, that is Jesus, to them he gave the right. So you becoming a child of God is a right given to you by Jesus Christ. You put your faith in him because you receive Jesus, because you believe in Jesus, and because of your faith in Jesus, he will give you a stamp of sonship, he will give you a stamp to belong in the family of God to those who believe in his name. We're not part of the family of God because of their own initiative, because the Bible states in verse 13, who we are born not of blood, so it's not because of your uh biological, physical family background, no, not the will of your own, not the will of the flesh, not your own will, not the will of any man, not the will of your pastor, not the will of your apostles, not the will of the teacher, not the will of anybody else, but the Bible states but of God, amen. And then we also came about being part of God's family by the spirit. So we started off by saying that it is true faith, believing in Jesus Christ. But now the Holy Spirit now confirms, confirms such identity in us that we are indeed children of God. Look what it states in Romans chapter 8, verse 16. The spirit himself, that is um the promise of the Holy Spirit that God, that Jesus Christ promised the disciples that it's better for me to go, and then I'm gonna send the helper, he's gonna live in you, and he's gonna be with you forever. So that same helper who is the Holy Spirit is is in us, he himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. So you have the confirmation by the Holy Spirit in your spirit, saying to you that hey Musumba, you are a child of God because the spirit of God that is in you bears witness in your spirit. That is why, child of God, we can cry, Abba Father. Abba Father, the word Abba means father, relationship, rights, responsibility, resemblance, and reputation. We are children of God, denotes our relationship to God as his children, with special rights distinct from the rest of God's creation. What makes us children of God? Because don't forget that the children of Israel, we are also called or considered as God's children. You and I, we are now children of God because of Jesus Christ. So we have special rights distinct from the rest of God's creation. Okay? So that what that makes us so unique in our relationship with God from everybody else, from the angels as well. And then we also see that God's rule and responsibility to us as a father in this relationship, okay? And our resemblance to him, because it's like father and son, father and daughter relationship, like father, like son. Just as Jesus Christ has a relationship with God the Father, and everything that he does, he always gives our father the glory. Everything that it does, it reflects the father. So this relationship also entails our resemblance of God, reflecting his nature. Because we can't just claim that we are children of God, but we are acting like children of the devil. It's not gonna work. So it could this this this identity comes with responsibility on our end, as much as God has to play his role and responsibility to us as a father. So we have to reflect his nature, and we also have to represent his name to bring glory to his reputation. That's pretty much what children do, naturally speaking. They carry the nature of their parents and they represent the name of their parents. So God wants you and I, as his children, to carry his nature and to represent his name for his reputation. Okay, look what it is again in Romans chapter 8, verse 16. The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. This forms relationship, and then in John chapter 1, verse 12 to 13. But as many as receive, again talking about rights, he gave the rights to become children of God. There are many, many rights that come under that being called a child of God. And then in Romans chapter 8, verse 21, because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. Like I was saying, that you and I we have special rights distinct from the rest of God's creation. Even creation itself is looking unto us for salvation, it's looking unto us for deliverance from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. So these are some of the special rights that we have over creation. In 1 John chapter 3, verse 2, the Bible says, Behold, we are we now we are children of God, and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be. So this is this is what I mean by resemblance. But we know that when he is revealed, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. So we are children of God, we have to resemble our creator, our father. And then in Matthew chapter 5, verse 9, gives us a specific example of how you and I we should resemble God, we should represent God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. So for you to be a to be called a son or a daughter of God, you are a peacemaker. You have to be a peacemaker because that's who God is, like father, like son, like father like daughter. And and the role and responsibilities of God as a father to us is God is superior, God is our source, God is our sustainer, God is our strength, God is our support. And this is pretty much what the role of fatherhood is all about. Our fathers are superior over us, our fathers are the provider, they sustain the household, they are our strength when we are down, and they're very supportive, you know. And God as a father also fulfills most of these relationship roles that we this we see in marriage for the husband, he's the provider, he's a protector, he's the um the leader, right? Another thing that I've noticed why God did not call us adults of God. God didn't we're not called adults of God. Have you ever wondered why the Bible didn't say you are adults of God? Because there's something called independence and dependency. So we are viewed and valued as children of God, not adults of God. God does not have adults or elders in his kingdom family, we are all treated as children, okay? And the reason is that that we are not considered as adults is because adults are independent, naturally speaking, in our own human human existence. Adults are independent, they they they have their own will, they do their own thing. But children are not independent, children are dependent on their parents. So God wants you and I to be dependent upon Him. Okay, so that is why we are viewed and valued as children of God because we depend on God as our superior, again, Father, as a father who is our superior, our source, our sustainer, our strength, our support for our existence and lifehood. And then another another thing that I also want to pass across is authority and accountability. We are viewed and valued as children of God, meaning that we are under God's authority. Like again, we cannot claim that we are children of God, but we rebel against the authority of our father. As much as it's a wonderful title, it's a wonderful way to identify yourself. Oh, look at me, I'm a child of God, but you're not in authority, or you're not under the authority of your father. Just as children are taking the name of their parents, oh, I am I am the child of our pastor, but you're not under the authority of your of your of your mom, it doesn't work like that. So, as much as we claim to be children of God, God expects you and I to be under his authority and also accountability because children are accountable to their biological parents. So God is expecting you and I to be accountable to him. Okay, the Bible sometimes uses um certain words to really describe our sonship, being children of God. It says in 1 John chapter 5, verse 21, he calls us little children. Keep yourself from idols, little children. Because little children, because I was reflecting on this, I'm like, God, why little children keep yourself from idols? Little children, children have idols. Like when I was growing up, I I wanted to be a super, I wanted to be Batman, I wanted to be Superman. And these these were like, you know, as a boy, my childhood heroes, you know. So the Bible is saying that little children, keep yourself from idols. Let God be your idol, let God be the one that you worship. That is what we have to be very careful, especially with our children in this digital age. They listen to content on social media, and then people are out there influencers who are like idols to our children. So idol is not just the physical image or the physical molded statue, it could also be anything that surpasses God. Anything that surpasses God has influence over your life. So God is saying that little children, keep yourselves from idol. You guys are little. Let me be your idol, let me be your inspiration. Let me be the one that influences you, okay? And then little children, also in the sense of our dependency, and God is responsible responsible to care for us, okay? And then sons of God, that also denotes status or position or rights or privileges. Most times we associate that with inheritance. Okay, so we are sons of God in terms of status, our status. So we're moving from little children to sons of God, but we are still children of God, not adults. Okay, it says in Romans chapter 9, verse 26, and it shall come to pass in the place where it's it's it was said to them, You are not my people, there they shall be called sons of the living God. In Romans chapter 8, verse 17, and if children, then hears, hears of God, and join hears with Christ, if indeed we suffer with him, then we also be glorified together. Hears meaning that we have inheritance, we have the same privileges, we have the same rights, we have the same position at Christ. And then in Galatians chapter 3, verse 29 through 26, it says, Oh, you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. So that that sonship concept in the Bible doesn't just apply to the male, male um um child of God, it also applies to the the daughters too. Okay, so we are also children of the free, children of the free, meaning that we are we are God wants you and I to succeed without any obstacles in life, without any bondages in our way, without any limitations. So we are children of the free, we are delivered children, we are victorious children. That is why the Bible refers to us to us as overcomers, we are more than conquerors. Look what it says in Galatians chapter 4, verse 31. So then, brethren, we are not children of the bond woman, but of the free. So because our God is free, and Jesus Christ came to do what to set the captives free, so we are children of the free. The world, the world, people don't believe in Jesus Christ, they are children of the devil and they're in bondage. But you and I, we are children of the free. Okay, and then there are also two terms that that that describe our our our sonship being called children of God, that is the beloved and the brethren, the beloved and the brethren, and we are the beloved, meaning that we are dearly loved of God, we are dearly loved of God, we are children that are truly and dearly loved of God. That's why I started off by saying that the foundation of our relationship with God is based on love. Look what it says in Romans chapter 1, verse 7. To all who are in Rome, beloved of God called to be saints. So the believers who are in Rome, Paul referred to them as the beloved of God, those who are loved by God, those who are so cherished by God. Oh my God. So child of God, we are we at operal ministry, we are the beloved of God, valued by God, treasured by God, nourished by God, cherished by God. Look what it says in 1 John chapter 3, verse 2. Beloved, beloved, beloved. Now we are children of God. Wow. Look what it says in Romans chapter 12, verse 9. Beloved, do not avenge yourself. My beloved. You know, God is a passionate lover, God is a deep lover. God is a crazy lover, he is crazy about you. Okay, so that's part of being a child of God that you your father is crazy about you. That is why he's a jealous God. And then you and I, we are children of God, we also at times refer to as brethren, meaning that fellow Christians related to one another. So I'm related to you in a spiritual sense. I don't have to be related to you in a physical sense, but in a spiritual sense, we're all related to each other. So we are brethren. Okay, so so God does not only have one child, God has many children. So when I look at Madame Joy, when I look at Madame Charity, I know yes, you guys are older than me, but I see you guys as my sister in a spiritual sense. But in the natural sense, I have to address you guys as my elders, my aunties, you know, but in the spiritual sense, we are we are on the same level in terms of our relationship with God. We are all children of God. Christians who are children of God are brothers and sisters, not only through faith, because that's one of the reasons why we're entitled or we have the right because of faith, our faith in Jesus Christ. We all share that same faith with Jesus Christ. So there's nothing special for you to make you stand out above somebody else. No, we all share the same faith. So that is why we are brothers and sisters and also members of God's divine family, both on this earth and also in heaven. So when we get to heaven, there's not going to be any distinction. Just okay, you know what? Um, this is the family of Uganda, this is the family of Nigeria, this is the family of Canada. No, it's just one blood family, and that blood of Jesus Christ. In the natural, in the natural world, yes, there is distinction, but in heaven, there's no distinction. One blood family, that is the blood of Jesus Christ who connected all of us. Just to make some references regarding that we are brethren. First Corinthians chapter 1, verse 11. For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren. Again, Paul is referring to children of God as his brethren. Okay, and then in 1 John chapter 3, verse 13, do not marvel, my brethren. Okay, Galatians chapter 3, verse 26. Oh, you are all sons of God through faith in Jesus Christ, which makes all of us qualify to be brothers and sisters. Being children of God, the importance and impact of it in our lives and others. Like I previously mentioned, our relationship with God. We get rights from this relationship that we have with God, these special rights, okay? And we expect God as a father to play his role and carry out his responsibilities of caring for us. That is why I refer to him as this the superior, as a father, the source, the sustainer, and our support, our strength. And our goal is resemblance of God in us, his nature, in his righteousness. And also our goal is God's reputation through us, his name. So I'm gonna focus on resemblance in God in us, his nature, in his righteousness, and also reputation of God, his name. 1 John chapter 3, verse 10. It says, In this, the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest. The reason why I'm focusing on resemblance when it comes to being a child of God, what makes you distinct from the children of the devil? Because everybody's claiming, oh, I'm a child of God, I'm a child of God, and then they act like the devil. We see that a lot in the church. We backbite each other, we we we we slender each other. That is not Christ-like, that does not reflect nothing like the father that we claim to worship. No, it doesn't. So the Bible distinctly is gonna tell us the differences between the children of God and the children of the devil. The devil is a father because Jesus referred to him as the father of lies. Don't forget that the the rabbi, the religious leader who claimed to know God, they wanted to kill the son of God. So, how can you claim to know God? How can you claim that you're a child of God, that you're you're on the side of God, but you want to kill the son of God? Doesn't make any sense. Doesn't make any sense. He called him, no, you're not a son of God because I know my father, I look like my father, I talk like my father, I act like my father, I have the same art like my father, I have the same attitude like my father, and I know who are like my father. I know other children like my father. That's why they asked Jesus Jesus Christ, who are your brothers and sisters? They wanted to pin him down in the natural way. Oh, maybe we know Mary is your mother, Joseph is your adoptive father, James and Jude and Simon, these are all your physical uh brothers, and then your sister. Jesus said, No. People who do the will of God, these people are my brothers and sisters. Okay, so in this, the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest. Whoever does not pray. Practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. So, fruits of the children of the devil are highlighted. They do not practice righteousness. Okay. That's how you know that ah, this man or woman that is professing to be a child of God. Ah, that's why Jesus said, By their fruit you shall know them. We all can talk. We all can talk. Talk less and act more. Talk less and let your character be revealed. Okay. They do not practice righteousness, they do not love their brothers or sisters. You see, one thing I've learned about our walk with God, you know you can you can give in church and you still don't have love. You see, love is actually the um the scale, the weight of your religious practice. Because you can still preach and you don't even have love for your members. You can still give in church and your heart is full of bitterness. Everything, all these religious practices that we do, we can fake it when there's no love. But when when there's love, it comes naturally. When there's love, people can tell. When there's love, there's no offense. Love is very, very critical. That's why Jesus Christ said that, that the world may know that we are of God when we love one another. Because God is love. And if we don't display as children of God, we don't have love in our homes, we don't have love in the church, then what is the point of us resembling or representing Christ? The children of the devil, their fruits, they are crooked, they are perverse. Now, what are the fruits of the children of God? They practice righteousness for sure. They love one another, yes. They do all things without complaining and disputing, they are blameless and harmless, they are obedient and they are holy. These are all references from Philippians chapter 2, verse 14 to 15. It says, Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God, without fault in the midst of the crooked and perverse generation. So we have to be distinct from the world, from the children of the devil, by our fruit, by our conduct, by our character. We can't just profess that we are children of God but refuse to practice righteousness. It's not gonna work. 1 Peter chapter 1, 14 to 16. It says, as obedient children. That is why I mentioned that authority and accountability. Yes, it's good to be called a child of God, but are you an obedient child of God? Are you under the authority of your father? Are you accountable to your father? As obedient children, not conforming yourself to the former lust as in your ignorance. Now that we know that we God wants us to be obedient children, resembling his nature to carry out his name for the glory of his reputation. But as he but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, be holy, for I am holy. Again, God is holy, he's set apart, is unique, is distinct, is different in holiness, in his conduct. He's expecting us to be as such, like father, like son, like father, like daughter. Therefore, child of God, let our character, meaning our attitudes, our actions, our attributes, our approach of doing things reflect God's nature, his righteousness in us. So we shouldn't just focus on carrying God's name. Because if we were able to resemble God in his nature, then the world will glorify his reputation in us. It's not really about us. The world is not really focusing on us. The world wants to see this father that we claim to believe in. The world wants to see this father that we preach about. The world wants to see this father that we tell him that is a father of the God of love, and we don't even have that love for each of us or for one another.