Are We All God's Children?

"We're all God's children."

It's a phrase people say all the time. But is it actually what the Bible teaches?

In this episode of FaithFuel, Bob Shaw explores the difference between being created by God and becoming part of God's family through faith in Jesus Christ.

The Bible teaches that every person has value, dignity, and worth because they are created in God's image. But Scripture also speaks about becoming a child of God through a personal relationship with Christ.

Using John 1:12, Bob discusses God's invitation into His family, why this distinction matters, and how Christians can approach the topic with both truth and grace.

If you've ever wondered what it really means to be a child of God, this episode will help you understand one of the most personal promises found in Scripture.

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Transcript

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We're all God's children. It's a pretty common phrase. Maybe you've even said it yourself. But are we all God's children? I'm Bob Shaw, and this is Faith Fuel. We're all God's children is one of those phrases that gets repeated so often that we never stop to think about it. I understand what's behind it. Usually when people say it, they're trying to communicate something good, that every person has value, that they deserve dignity and respect. I think we can all agree on that. The Bible does teach that every human being is created by God and bears his image. That's true regardless of someone's background, beliefs, successes, failures, or anything else. But when you read the New Testament, you find out pretty quickly that the Bible talks about becoming a child of God. John 1 verse 12 says, But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. Become. If everyone is automatically a child of God, why would John use that word? The answer is that Scripture makes a distinction between being created by God and being part of His family. Think about it this way. I can know who somebody is, I can know facts about them, I can even admire them from a distance. That's very different from being family. The Bible says God offers something incredibly personal, not just knowledge about him, but relationship with him. Galatians 4 talks about adoption. Romans 8 talks about becoming heirs with Christ. That's family language. It's the language of belonging. Now some people might hear this and immediately think it's about exclusion. It's actually about invitation. God isn't saying stay out, he's saying come in. Through Jesus Christ, God invites us into a relationship with Him that is far closer than lots of people ever imagine. So the next time you hear somebody say, We're all God's children, don't feel like you need to become the theology police. Nobody enjoys being corrected in the middle of a conversation. Most people aren't trying to make a theological argument. They're trying to express that people have value. And that's true. Every person is created by God and loved by God. They have value because of that. And God is inviting every person into his family through faith in Jesus Christ. Father, thank you for creating us and loving us. Thank you for inviting us into a relationship with you through your Son. Help us never take that invitation for granted. And help us share your love with others. In Jesus' name. Amen. If you've never thought about the difference between being created by God and being part of His family, spend a little time with John chapter 1 this week. Pay attention to that word, become. It's a beautiful picture of what God offers through Jesus. And if you're enjoying Faith Fuel, be sure to follow the podcast. There are now over 100 devotionals covering everything from prayer and doubt to relationships, purpose, forgiveness, and everyday faith. There's something that'll resonate with you, and you don't have to stop with today's episode. I'm Bob Shaw. Peace and joy.