Being called children of God is a profound identity for believers. The Bible describes the privileges and responsibilities of being part of God’s family. Today, we’ll learn what it means to be a child of God according to Scripture.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Children Obeying Their Parents
What Does The Bible Say About Children Of God
Romans 8:16
The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
This verse reminds us that as believers, we are adopted into the family of God. The Holy Spirit confirms within us that we are His children, bringing assurance and confidence in our relationship with Him.
Knowing that we are children of God allows us to approach Him with a sense of belonging and intimacy. It also reminds us of the privilege and responsibility we have to live according to His will, reflecting His love and character in our lives.
1 John 3:1
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!
This verse highlights the incredible love that the Father has bestowed upon us by calling us His children. It is a love that goes beyond measure and comprehension, a love that surpasses all earthly bounds. We should be humbled and grateful for this undeserved privilege.
As children of God, we are not only recipients of His love but also representatives of His love to the world. We are called to live in a way that reflects His love and grace, shining His light and extending His love to those around us.
John 1:12
Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.
This verse emphasizes that becoming a child of God is not based on our heritage or status but on receiving and believing in Jesus Christ. It is through faith in Him that we are granted the incredible privilege of becoming children of God.
Believing in Jesus Christ demonstrates our trust in His sacrifice for our sins and our acceptance of His lordship in our lives. It is by this faith that we are adopted into God’s family and receive the blessings and inheritance that come with being His children.
Ephesians 1:5
He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.
This verse reminds us that God’s plan for our lives, even before the foundation of the world, was for us to be adopted as His children through Jesus Christ. It was His pleasure and will to bring us into His family.
Understanding that our adoption was part of God’s divine plan helps us grasp the depth of His love for us. It assures us that we were chosen, loved, and destined to be children of God, with a purpose and a calling in His kingdom.
Galatians 4:7
So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.
In this verse, we are reminded of the beautiful truth that as children of God, we are no longer bound by the chains of slavery to sin. Instead, we have been set free and made heirs of God’s promises.
Our status as children of God comes with an inheritance, which includes the blessings, provisions, and promises that God has prepared for us. We can approach life with confidence, knowing that we have a heavenly Father who cares for us and has provided for our every need.
Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
This verse teaches us that as children of God, we are called to be peacemakers. We are to actively pursue reconciliation and promote peace in our relationships, communities, and the world at large.
Being a peacemaker means embodying the character of God, who is the source of peace. It requires us to exhibit love, kindness, patience, and forgiveness, seeking to bridge divides and promote unity. In doing so, we reflect the nature of our heavenly Father and bring glory to His name.
1 John 3:2
Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
This verse reminds us that though we are already children of God, there is still more to come. Our ultimate transformation into Christlikeness has not yet been fully revealed.
When Christ returns, we will be transformed and made perfect, fully reflecting His image and likeness. We will see Him in all His glory, and the journey of becoming like Him will be complete. This truth gives us hope and anticipation for what lies ahead as children of God.
Luke 20:36
And they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God’s children, since they are children of the resurrection.
In this verse, Jesus speaks of those who have been resurrected, emphasizing that they are no longer subject to death. Instead, they are like the angels and are considered children of God.
As children of God, we have the assurance that death is not the end. Through faith in Christ, we are assured of eternal life with Him. Our destiny is to be in the presence of God, experiencing the fullness of His love and glory for all eternity.
1 John 5:2
This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands.
In this verse, we learn that loving God and keeping His commandments are essential in demonstrating our love for the children of God.
Loving God means not only having affection for Him but also obeying Him. It involves aligning our desires and actions with His will, seeking to honor and glorify Him in everything we do. By walking in obedience, we show our love for God and, in turn, demonstrate love to our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
Matthew 18:3
And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
In this verse, Jesus uses the imagery of a child to teach a valuable lesson about entering the kingdom of heaven.
To become like little children means to possess childlike faith and humility. Children are dependent, trust easily, and approach life with wonder and curiosity. In the same way, we are called to fully rely on God, trust in His promises, and approach our relationship with Him with childlike faith. It is through this childlike faith that we can enter into the eternal kingdom of heaven.
1 John 4:4
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.
This verse assures us that as children of God, we have the power to overcome the challenges and temptations of this world. The Holy Spirit, who dwells within us, is greater than any opposition we may face.
God’s presence and power in our lives empower us to stand strong in the face of adversity and to resist the influences of the world. We can have confidence that as children of God, we are on the winning side and that ultimate victory is already ours through Christ.
Proverbs 3:11-12
My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.
In these verses, we are reminded that as children of God, His discipline is an expression of His love for us. Like a loving father, He corrects and guides us to develop godly character and grow in wisdom.
Instead of resenting or despising His discipline, we should embrace it with humility, knowing that it is for our ultimate good. It is through discipline that we are refined and shaped into the image of Christ, bearing the fruit of righteousness and becoming more like Him.
Galatians 3:26
So in Christ Jesus, you are all children of God through faith.
This verse emphasizes that our status as children of God is not based on our ethnicity, social standing, or any external factors. Instead, it is through faith in Jesus Christ that we are united with Him and become children of God.
Faith is the key that opens the door to our adoption into God’s family. It is through faith that we are born again, receiving the gift of salvation and the privilege of being called His children. Our faith in Him is the foundation of our relationship with God.
Deuteronomy 14:1
You are the children of the Lord your God. Do not cut yourselves or shave the front of your heads for the dead,
Here, God affirms the Israelites as His children and gives them instructions regarding mourning practices. As His chosen people, they were to recognize their identity as children of God and refrain from adopting pagan mourning customs.
Similarly, as children of God today, we are called to separate ourselves from the practices and values of the world. We are to reflect our heavenly Father’s holiness, living in a way that honors and glorifies Him.
Philippians 2:15
so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.
In this verse, Paul encourages the Christians in Philippi to live in a way that distinguishes them as children of God in the midst of a corrupt and perverse society. Their conduct should be blameless, pure, and marked by integrity.
Being children of God, we are called to stand out and be a light in the darkness. The way we live our lives should exemplify God’s love, truth, and righteousness, shining brightly and attracting others to the beauty of the gospel.
Hebrews 12:7
Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?
These verses remind us that hardships and challenges we face in life are not signs of God’s abandonment but rather His loving discipline as a Father.
Just as a father disciplines his children out of love, God allows us to go through trials and difficulties to refine our character, strengthen our faith, and deepen our trust in Him. It is through these experiences that we grow and mature as His children, becoming more conformed to the image of Christ.
Romans 9:26
and, “In the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ there they will be called ‘children of the living God.'”
This verse references the prophecy in Hosea 1:10, speaking of how those who were once rejected will ultimately be called children of the living God.
It reminds us that as children of God, our identity is found not in our past mistakes or failures but in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Through His sacrifice, we have been reconciled to God and given the privilege of being called His children, regardless of our past or background.
1 Peter 1:14-15
As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;
In these verses, Peter urges believers to live in obedience and holiness, just as their heavenly Father is holy. As children of God, our conduct should align with His character and reflect His holiness.
Living in obedience means we no longer conform to the sinful desires and patterns of the world but strive to live a life that pleases and honors God. It is by His grace and the power of the Holy Spirit that we are able to live a life marked by holiness.
Matthew 5:45
that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
This verse reminds us of the Father’s love and care for all humanity, regardless of their spiritual status. Our heavenly Father bestows blessings upon both the righteous and the unrighteous, demonstrating His grace and mercy.
As children of God, we are called to imitate this love and kindness, showing compassion and generosity to both believers and unbelievers. We are to love as He loves and extend His grace to those around us, sharing the good news of the gospel with love and humility.
Matthew 18:4
Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
This verse teaches us the value of humility in the kingdom of heaven. Just as children are humble and dependent, we are called to approach God and others with humility.
Humility involves recognizing our need for God and acknowledging that all we have is by His grace. It means surrendering our pride and selfish ambitions, placing the interests of others above our own. As we embrace humility, we will find favor in the sight of God and experience the true greatness found in His presence.
Psalm 103:13
As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
In this verse, David compares God’s compassion for His children to that of a father for his own children. It assures us of God’s deep love and concern for those who fear and reverence Him.
Understanding God’s compassion enables us to approach Him with confidence, knowing that He understands our weaknesses and is attentive to our needs. It fosters a deep sense of security and trust in our relationship with Him, as we rely on His unfailing love and care.
Proverbs 23:24
The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him.
These verses highlight the joy and delight that come from being a father or mother of a righteous child. The same joy and delight are experienced by our heavenly Father when we walk in wisdom and righteousness.
As His children, when we live in alignment with His Word and seek to honor Him in all areas of our lives, we bring joy to our heavenly Father. It is through our obedience and faithfulness that we can experience the fullness of His joy and delight in us.
Hebrews 12:5-6
And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”
These verses remind us of the Father’s discipline in our lives as an expression of His love. Just as a human father disciplines his child out of love, our heavenly Father corrects and trains us for our ultimate good.
His discipline is not meant to crush or discourage us but to refine our character, strengthen our faith, and mold us into the image of Christ. When we experience His discipline, we should not lose heart but instead recognize it as an act of love, knowing that He desires our growth and transformation as His beloved children.
Matthew 5:48
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
These words of Jesus challenge us to strive for moral and spiritual perfection, just as our heavenly Father is perfect. While we understand that perfection is unattainable in our own strength, this exhortation calls us to pursue a life of righteousness and holiness.
As children of God, we are called to reflect the character and nature of our heavenly Father. Though we may stumble and fall, we are to continually strive towards Christlikeness and growth in godliness, empowered by the Holy Spirit who dwells within us.