Children of God
He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. (John 1:11-13, NIV) I am moved more deeply and more greatly than any other time in my life by the reality that I am a child of God. John says that Jesus, “…gave [us] the right to become children of God.” In light of this amazing reality, I think about two things.
First, it is amazing how much more clearly I understand the DISCIPLINE of God since becoming a father. The Hebrew writer states, “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” (12:7-11, NIV)
Look at the first picture on this page. I know you are thinking:
“What can a beautiful 2 ½ year old like Lucy ever do that she would need discipline.” Ha, yeah right! Perhaps you can relate to the following. Imagine several objects sitting very close together. I will look at Lucy as she touches the first object and I will say, “Lucy, don’t touch that please.” She will stare at me…move her finger to the very next object…and say, “Touch dis?” And she will keep doing this, until I bring out the heavy artilary: “the next thing you touch means timeout”…or “go to the corner”…or (Heaven forbid it ever comes to this) “NO iPhone.”
As you know, sometimes Lucy does more than try to touch something she should not touch; sometimes she tries something that could actually harm her greatly or put her life in danger. Scripture states, “Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish them with the rod, they will not die.” (Proverbs 23:13, NIV). Back to Hebrews, the purpose of God’s discipline…is that we might live! (v.9) We put Lucy in timeout, in the corner, or we might even spank her if need be. I do not take pleasure in disciplining Lucy, but I do it because I want her to have life abundant…because I love her.
This brings me to my second point; it is amazing how much more clearly I understand the LOVE of God since becoming a father. The first Gospel states, “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! (Matthew 7:9-11, NIV)
Look at the second picture on this page. I know you are thinking:
“It has to be easy to love those (chubby) kids!” To that I would say, “Yes, yes it is.” I love all of my children with a love that I cannot put into words. In fact, I catch myself staring at my kids. Do you do that? I walked into the kitchen recently, and there was Lucy, in a pony tail, looking all grown up, helping mommy cook: “Daddy, you need some ‘dis?” She is already being considerate and giving and loving—I love that kid. And, I want to give her good gifts. I want to give her the best.
Paul says, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39, NIV)
Have you ever feared that God would not save you? I have shared before that I have struggled with the concept. Now I look at Lucy. Nothing, nothing is going to separate me from the love I have for her. Question: Do you think God’s love for you is weaker or stronger than the love I have for my child? We all know that God’s love for us is so strong…that he gave his child for us.
Are you at a time in your life where you are experiencing the discipline of God? If so, are you looking at it as His discipline? Are you still holding on to Him as your father and realizing that He is allowing this because He loves you? Or, are you at a time in your life where you are experiencing the gifts of God? Are you looking at each gift as if it is from God? Do you believe that you have these gifts because He loves you?
Bottom line–it is an AMAZING thing to be a Child of God. We are not slaves, but sons. We have an inheritance that will never perish, spoil or fade. We get to walk, day by day, with our loving and protecting Heavenly Father: “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (I John 3:1, NIV)
Kent Mereness