Children of the Living God
1 John 3:1-3
Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! [1 John 3:1]
Growing up as the youngest of five children, I’ve had my share of preconceived perceptions and thoughts from teachers. I was fortunate, though,
as all my siblings were pretty sharp, and did well in school. But it really was a reflection on my parents, who inspired us with high principles and a strong work ethic. They provided us with every opportunity to be the best that we could be.
It is a similar dynamic in this verse, but even more so because the Parent is our Heavenly Father. “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” I don’t know if you’ve ever pondered this verse, but it really is powerful! Born-again believers, in Christ, are literally children of the living God! No matter where you come from or what you’ve come through; when you come to Christ you are a child of God. “Old things are past, behold, all things have become new” [2 Cor 2:17]. You are “born again”!
My first reaction to this is “who am I to be a child of the living God?” I mean, this is God Almighty, the One Who’s right hand spans the universe! The Great I AM! I am now a child of His? This points us toward God’s grace and God’s future, and away from our works and our past. Grace is the great game-changer in this life. God’s grace changes everything! Rather than “I do, so I receive” it becomes “I’ve received, so I do!”
Grace is the proper perspective from the Cross of Calvary, and it brings with it a proper order of a Spirit-led life. It is the base from which Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friend.” And then He displayed it by willingly laying down His life for the sins of the world. It is in the believing in that pivotal work that we become children of the living God.
But as His children, He raises us up as no other! He teaches us, and molds and shapes us as only our Heavenly Father can. “Behold what manner of love the Father has given unto us, that we should be called children of God!” And even as the world around us accepts us not, it is a moot point when we know that our Heavenly Father does. His acceptance is what matters. Children of the living God: This is a great truth that the child of God must know.
