|
DATE |
CHURCH |
SUBJECT |
PREACHER |
BIBLE
REF. |
|
20.07.08 |
All Saints' Church |
Who is a Child of
God? |
Rev. Tony Higton |
Romans 8:12-25 |
|
“We’re all
children of God” is one of those glib statements you hear from
time to time. It gives the false impression that we are all safe
and sound in God’s family for time and eternity. The New
Testament, however, teaches that we have to opt into God’s
family. It is not automatic – far from it. Who is a child of
God according to the New Testament? Firstly, a child of God is:
One who
is led by the Spirit
Paul says: “Those who are led by the Spirit
of God are the children of God.” (Rom 8:14). In other words a
child of God is someone who:
·
Seeks God’s guidance
It is important at least daily to seek
God’s guidance as to how to live our lives in a way which will
please him. It isn’t just when we are uncertain or confused. We
make many choices each day, most of them without much thought.
It is good to pray that these decisions will honour God. He is
well able to do that without our being aware of it. Don’t make
an obsession out of seeking God’s guidance: pray for his
guidance then trust he will give it. It is only when we are
faced with an important decision that we should think about the
pros and cons carefully and pray specifically.
·
Claim his wisdom
There is a wonderful promise in James 1:5
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives
generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to
you.” God has promised this wisdom, so we can “claim” it, that
is, we can say to God: “I need your wisdom, Lord, and you have
promised it here, so I now believe you will give it to me.”
I have claimed this promise many times. I
have an extensive knowledge of the Bible and a long experience
of life, but I am very aware that I still need God’s wisdom,
which quite often differs from human wisdom.
·
Follow his leading
Of course, it is no use seeking God’s
guidance and claiming his wisdom, if you don’t then follow it.
So a child of God is someone who prays for God’s guidance,
trusts God’s promise of wisdom and then puts it into practice.
Secondly, a child of God is:
One who
is intimate with the Father
Paul says: “The Spirit you received does
not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the
Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And
by him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit himself testifies with
our spirit that we are God's children.” (Rom 8:15-16).
When we lived in Israel we regularly heard
children calling out: “Abba! Abba!” It is Hebrew for “Daddy.”
What Paul is saying here is that a child of God knows God as his
“Daddy” – his intimate and dear father.
A child of God knows that although he wants
to serve God, he is no mere servant. Rather he is an adopted
child of God. God actually chose him as his child. I use the
masculine throughout, but it is, of course, equally true in the
feminine.
Are you able to look up to God and to call
him your dear Father, or “Daddy”, if you like.
Thirdly, a child of God is:
One who
is sharing with the Son
The wonderful thing is that, because Jesus
died for us, we are not only adopted children of God but we also
share in the inheritance of Jesus, the Son of God. As Paul puts
it: “If we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and
co-heirs with Christ.” (Rom 8:17). This means we will share for
ever in Christ’s eternal glory.
However, it also means that in this world
we will share in Christ’s sufferings. A child of God is someone
prepared to suffer for Christ. This will include difficult, even
painful, sacrifices. It will mean sometimes following God rather
than pleasing other people, even family members. It may mean
sacrificing financially. It will mean putting up with mockery
and antagonism from non-believers. Jesus suffered all this and a
great deal more. Few of us will die for our faith but we are
all called to a life of self-sacrifice, “dying to self.”
In spite of this, Paul writes: “I consider
that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the
glory that will be revealed in us.” (verse 18)
A child of God is on his way to glory, and
eternal glory at that. For him death is “promotion to glory.”
His prospect is of eternal joy and fulfilment, eternal life in
the presence of his heavenly Father. Even our bodies will be
redeemed, all sickness, pain ageing and death will be removed.
We will share in his glory – but only if we
are children of God. |
