ABBA - Made in Our Father's ImageSample

Day 5: Is Everyone His Son?

The notion that all people are automatically children of God is a common misconception. While God is the Creator of all, the Bible teaches that becoming a child of God is a special status granted through faith in Jesus Christ. This divine sonship is not a universal inheritance by birth, but a transformative relationship entered into by those who trust in Christ.

The concept of sonship in the Bible is deeply relational and covenantal. It involves trust, obedience, and a loving relationship with God, akin to the relationship between a father and his child. A profound example of this is found in the story of Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 22). Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his beloved son Isaac at God’s command demonstrates a profound trust in God’s promises and a deep commitment to obeying Him, even when it is difficult. This story also foreshadows the ultimate act of love—God providing His own Son, Jesus, as a substitute for us, illustrating the depth of God’s provision and the significance of being chosen as His children through faith.

Spiritual adoption is a core concept in the New Testament, where believers in Christ are described as being adopted into God’s family. This adoption grants us not only a new identity as children of God but also an inheritance that includes eternal life and the privileges of being co-heirs with Christ. This new status transforms our relationship with God from one of distance to one of intimacy, where we can call Him "Abba, Father" and experience His love and guidance as a true father.

Moreover, this relationship with God transcends all earthly distinctions. In Christ, the barriers of race, social status, and gender are removed, and we become one unified family under God. This spiritual unity highlights the equality and shared identity of all believers as children of God, breaking down divisions and fostering a deep sense of belonging and community among those who are in Christ.

Reflection:

• Becoming a Child of God Through Faith in Christ:
  • Reflect on the transformative power of faith in Jesus, which grants us the right to become children of God. How does this understanding impact your relationship with God and your view of your own identity?
• The Significance of Spiritual Adoption:
  • Consider the profound implications of being adopted into God’s family. What does it mean to you to be a son or daughter of God? How does this new identity shape the way you live and interact with others?
• The Unity and Equality of All Believers in Christ:
  • Reflect on the fact that in Christ, all believers are one family, regardless of earthly distinctions. How can this truth influence your relationships within the Christian community and your approach to unity and equality?

Closing Thought: Understanding that not everyone is automatically a child of God, but that this relationship is granted through faith in Jesus Christ, deepens our appreciation of what it means to belong to God's family. It calls us to a higher standard of living, one that reflects our identity as His children. As we embrace our spiritual adoption, let us also embrace the unity and equality that comes with being part of God’s family, living out our faith in a way that honors our Father and draws others to Him.