Beloved, now we are children of God. It is not yet revealed what we will be; but we know that when he is revealed, we will be like him; for we will see him just as he is. 1 John 3:2 WEB

Who are the children of God? Paul answers this question in his letter to the Galatians. First, he gives the reason for the law of God given to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Paul wrote in Galatians 3:23-25, “Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. NIV”

Paul continues explaining in Galatians 3:26-29, “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. NIV”

Born of God

In his gospel account, John teaches us who the children of God are. We read in John 1:12-13, “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. NIV” 

Impressed by the faith of a Roman centurion, Jesus Christ taught in Matthew 8:11, “I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” God’s kingdom is for those who have faith and do his will regardless of their ancestry. 

Yesterday’s Devotional: Together With Him