Born Into The Family Of God

Jesus mentioned to Nicodemus that he must be born again. What does that mean? It means a person is born into the family of God. What does it look like? John told us in his first epistle.

So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God. 1 John 3:10

That verse summarizes the first three chapters of first John. The apostle encouraged us to live righteous lives which we can accomplish because of Jesus.

I am writing to you who are God’s children because your sins have been forgiven through Jesus. 1 John 2:12

So John clarified that he directed this epistle to the children of God, hence those born into the family of God. He referred to those who have accepted what Jesus did for them on the cross.

According to John’s writings, being born into the family of God must go further than just saying a prayer. It means making a commitment as well as following through with it.

In our society today many lack an understanding of what a commitment really means. Therefore one can easily walk away from a commitment as if they had never made one in the first place.

The marriage commitment serves as a good example. In front of witnesses, a couple vows or commits their union for life. But, either one of them knows they can end it anytime they want.

God views commitments as binding, especially when we make them to Him. So keeping the commitment we make to the Lord upon receiving Christ as our Savior becomes very important.

A Warning Against Deception

Thus John explained the difference between the children of God and the children of the devil. He began by warning us to guard ourselves against deception.

Dear children, don’t let anyone deceive you about this: When people do what is right, it shows that they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous. 1 John 3:7

Satan’s deceptions have become an acceptable norm in society, even to some in the church. So instead of using God’s Word as the standard for righteousness, they define it for themselves.

Righteousness begins and ends with Jesus. John continued by stating that our actions define if our lives revolve around Christ.

But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8

Someone coined the phrase, “We are sinners saved by grace.” It has one problem though, that phrase is nowhere in scripture. John correctly said we are God’s children.

Of course, we do sin along the way, sometimes intentionally and other times not. But the devil will try to convince us that all is fine even when living a life of sin. John told us differently.

Those who have been born into the family of God do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God. 1 John 3:9

The apostle also made a similar statement earlier in this chapter. Therefore we should take this warning about consistently and willfully sinning very seriously.

Anyone who continues to live in him will not sin. But anyone who keeps on sinning does not know him or understand who he is. 1 John 3:6

Benefits of Those Born into the Family of God

We’ve talked about what it means when born into the family of God and what that looks like. But let’s not forget to also mention the benefits that accompany it.

God has made promises to us in His Word while we are living on this earth. Some people, however, feel that He has let them down and therefore no longer want anything to do with Him.

We must understand that at creation the Lord established certain laws. The law of gravity is one of the most basic ones. Another one is that reproduction happens even when couples live in sin.

Something else affecting our lives came when God cursed the ground because of Adam and Eve’s disobedient sin. A relationship with the Lord though can only start while living in this life.

So through all the temptations of the enemy and the influences of sinful men, don’t waver in your faith. When facing the results of the curse including sicknesses we must endure to the end.

God never promised us an easy life here but He did promise us eternal life. When committing ourselves to Him we experience a new birth, for it’s then we are born into the family of God.

See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him. 1 John 3:1

Trust God No Matter What

Sure, God does miracles and He also promised to meet our every need. So trust Him through your every situation no matter what. Remember the best is yet to come.

Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. 1 John 3:2

You are not a sinner saved by grace. You were a sinner but now you’re saved by grace. And John said as children of God to eagerly live expecting to be like Jesus.

And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure. 1 John 3:3

Lord, I am glad I am born into the family of God. I eagerly await the arrival of Jesus. Help me to stay pure until that day.

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