Child of God

I became an aunt yesterday. Being an aunt is exciting and kind of like being a grandparent. I get to hold, love and adore my niece, but when she poops, I can give her back to my sister-in-law. =) My job is working with children. While they are in my care, I feed them, change them when they make messes, play with them and discipline them. My responsibilities are to keep them safe and cared for until mom/dad/grandma/grandpa comes to pick them up. Then I get to go home child free (it's kind of nice). Of course I love the kids I work with, but I don't have to keep them with my 24/7. I don't pay for medical expenses or their shelter, clothing, food, etc. The nurturing I give, I get paid to give.

There is a huge difference between being in the care of someone and actually being their child. Thus, when Scripture tells us we are God's adopted children, the message goes deep. God is not our babysitter or uncle or granddaddy. He is our Father! Romans 8:15 states, "So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” When Jesus taught his disciples how to pray, he starts with addressing God in this way (Matthew 6:9-11). We become God's children by believing (actively) in Jesus (John 1:12). We know we are God's children by the Holy Spirit living in us (Romans 8:16).

What does it mean to be a child of God? God is always there, for one. Not just from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. He loves us unconditionally. When we make messes, he cleans them up and embraces us (prodigal son). It means he provides all our needs (Matthew 6:25-34). Being his children means we have a relationship with God. The difference between the world and God's children is that his children know him but the world does not (1 John 3:1). As his children, we are heirs (Romans 8:17). We will receive Heaven and glorified new bodies. We will never die! Who wouldn't want to be God's child knowing all this?? Answer: People who can't handle correction or discipline. Because to be God's children means he will discipline us when we disobey (Hebrews 12:8). Spankings hurt, I know, but would we rather God give up on us? I don't think so... 

As God's children, we must obey our Father and stop sinning (1 Peter 1:14 and 1 John 3:9). This is our responsibility as children. You can be sure God will live up to his end of our relationship. All earthy fathers are flawed. But our Heavenly Father is perfect!