Today's Journal

CHILDREN OF GOD

I am still thinking some about yesterday’s Journal entry Friends of God. There was something in the ‘friendship’ idea that just did not grab me as it should.

John started his gospel by saying, “But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God” (John 1:12-13). There is something in this language of becoming a son or daughter of the Father that takes precedent over friendship to me. We might ‘talk with God as a friend’ or talk with Father as a son or daughter. A child of God seems to be a greater and more intimate relationship.

Paul, an apostle, wrote to the Corinthians: “And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty” (2 Corinthians 6:18).

Paul also wrote to the Romans: “But you have received a spirit of adoption as sons (meaning male or female, it’s a position, not a gender) by which we cry out, Abba! Father! The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God” (Romans 8:14-17).

“God is what he is, Father is who he is.” Andy Taylor, pastor and friend.

I ascend to my Father and your Father, and my God and your God.” Jesus