What does the Bible say about being sons and daughters of God, specifically exploring the conditions or qualifications for achieving this status? Does it require a specific ritual, belief, or action? Furthermore, how does this relationship with God as a son or daughter influence one’s identity, purpose, and behavior, according to biblical teachings? Finally, are there any distinctions or hierarchies within this familial relationship with God, and what are the associated implications?
Answer
The Bible presents the concept of being sons and daughters of God in two primary ways: through creation and through adoption.
Through Creation:
- Humanity as Image Bearers: Genesis 1:27 states, "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." This verse establishes that all human beings, by virtue of their creation, possess a resemblance to God, reflecting His character, intellect, and moral capacity. This image-bearing quality suggests a familial relationship in a broad, general sense. God is the ultimate Creator and source of life, making humanity His offspring in that regard. Acts 17:28-29, quoting Greek poets, acknowledges this relationship: "For in him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are indeed his offspring.’" This highlights a shared existence and dependence on God.
- Adam as Son of God: Luke 3:38 traces Jesus’ genealogy back to Adam, whom it calls "the son of God." This emphasizes that Adam, as the first human created directly by God, held a unique position as God’s son by direct creation. However, this sonship was lost through Adam’s disobedience and the fall.
Through Adoption:
- Redemption and Adoption through Christ: The New Testament reveals a deeper, more intimate way of becoming sons and daughters of God: through faith in Jesus Christ. Galatians 4:4-7 says, "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God." This passage clearly states that believers are adopted into God’s family through Christ’s redemptive work.
- The Role of the Holy Spirit: Romans 8:14-17 further elaborates on this adoption: "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him." The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in confirming our adoption, granting us assurance and enabling us to relate to God as a loving Father ("Abba" being an Aramaic term of endearment).
- Benefits and Responsibilities of Sonship: Being adopted as sons and daughters of God comes with numerous privileges and responsibilities. Romans 8:32 states, "He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?" This highlights the boundless love and provision of God for His children. As heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, believers inherit eternal life and a share in Christ’s glory (Romans 8:17). However, this sonship also entails living a life that is pleasing to God, reflecting His character, and obeying His commands. 1 John 3:1-3 emphasizes the transforming power of being children of God: "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure." This passage calls for a life of holiness and obedience, striving to become more like Christ.
- Love as a Mark of Sonship: 1 John 3:10 states, "By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother." This passage highlights love for fellow believers as a distinguishing characteristic of those who are truly children of God.
- Eternal Security: John 1:12-13 states, "But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God." Once this adoption occurs through faith in Jesus Christ, it is a permanent and irrevocable relationship.
- Exemplary Sonship of Jesus: Jesus is presented as the unique and eternal Son of God. The Gospels are replete with instances where Jesus identifies himself as the Son of God and is identified as such by others, including God the Father (Matthew 3:17). Jesus’ perfect obedience and complete dependence on the Father serve as a model for believers in their relationship with God as adopted sons and daughters.
- Future Hope: The complete realization of our sonship will be fully manifested in the future, at the resurrection and glorification of believers (Romans 8:23). This is when we will fully bear the image of God and experience the fullness of our inheritance as sons and daughters of God.
- Other relevant verses:
- John 11:52: "And not for that nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad."
- Romans 9:8: "That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring."
- Philippians 2:15: "that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world."
- 1 John 3:1: "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him."
- 1 John 5:2: "By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments."
In summary, the Bible teaches that all humanity is related to God through creation as image bearers. However, a deeper, more intimate relationship as sons and daughters of God is established through faith in Jesus Christ, resulting in adoption into God’s family and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, granting believers assurance, privileges, responsibilities, and the hope of future glory.
Pray This Prayer
Heavenly Father,
We come before you today, humbled and grateful for the incredible truth found in your Word, the Bible. We seek to understand more fully what it means to be called your sons and daughters.
Your scriptures tell us that through faith in Jesus Christ, we are adopted into your family. We are no longer strangers or outcasts, but cherished members of your household. We are told in Galatians 3:26, “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” Thank you for this incredible gift of belonging.
We remember Romans 8:14-17, which speaks of being led by your Spirit, groaning inwardly for our adoption as sons and daughters, and becoming heirs with Christ. Father, help us to truly feel the leading of your Spirit in our lives, guiding us in your ways and shaping us into the image of your Son.
We are mindful that being your sons and daughters comes with responsibility. In Matthew 5:44-45, Jesus tells us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us, so that we may be sons of our Father in heaven. Grant us the strength and grace to live lives that reflect your character, showing compassion, mercy, and forgiveness to all.
Help us to understand the weight of this privilege and to live lives worthy of the calling we have received. May we be ambassadors of your love and grace, shining your light into a dark world.
Father, we are grateful for the inheritance we have through Christ, an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. May we live in anticipation of the glory that will be revealed in us.
Thank you for your unwavering love, your boundless grace, and your incredible gift of adoption. We praise you for making us your sons and daughters, and we commit ourselves to living in a way that honors your name.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.