Embracing Your Identity as God’s Child

Picture this, a five-year-old daughter turns to her three-year-old brother and says, “See, I told you, mommy bought us donuts!” The small voice almost scolds the younger because of his doubt. There was something that the older daughter knew that the young son did not… she knew her mommy.

John the Apostle says something similar to the Ephesian church in 1 John 3.

“See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1, NLT)

It’s like John saying, “See, I told you God loves you because He has made you His children. You aren’t worshiping a God that wants to keep you far away and wrapped up in religious devotion. Your God is your Father, and He loves you as His child.”

Assurance of God’s Love

John was telling the gentile members of the church, who were feeling a lot like unwanted step-children among their Jewish church members, that God does love them. Yet, how can a person know that they are truly God’s child?

Here are some things you can do to know for certain.

Confess Jesus as Lord and Savior

First, confess Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

Confessing Jesus as Lord means acknowledging His authority over your life. It means surrendering your will to His and recognizing Him as the one who has the power to save you from sin and bring you into a relationship with God. When you confess Jesus as Savior, you acknowledge that only through Him can you be saved and reconciled to God.

Romans 10:9 (NASB1995) says, “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Receive the Holy Spirit

Second, ask God to pour out His Holy Spirit into your life.

When you invite the Holy Spirit into your life, He comes to dwell within you, guiding, empowering, and transforming you from the inside out. The Holy Spirit is the seal of your adoption into God’s family, assuring you of your identity as His child.

Ephesians 1:13-14 (NASB1995) states, “In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.”

Believe and Trust in God’s Salvation

Third, believe that God has saved you, filled you, and made you His child.

Salvation is a gift from God, received by grace through faith. Believe in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross, His resurrection, and the forgiveness of sins that comes through Him. Trust in God’s promise that as His child, you are forgiven, redeemed, and made new.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NASB1995) affirms, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

Follow Jesus and His Teachings

Then, read God’s Word, the Bible, and take steps to follow and obey Jesus’ teachings.

The Bible is God’s instruction manual for our lives. It reveals His character, His will, and His plan for us. By studying and meditating on His Word, we grow in our understanding of who God is and how He desires us to live. Through obedience to Jesus’ teachings, we align ourselves with God’s purposes and experience the abundant life He has prepared for us.

John 14:23 (NASB1995) says, “Jesus answered and said to him, ‘If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him.'”

Welcome to the Family!

Through this act of faith, God will issue you adoption papers, and WELCOME to the FAMILY!!!

As you embrace your identity as a child of God, you enter into a loving and intimate relationship with Him. He becomes not just a distant deity but a caring Father who delights in you. You are no longer alone; you belong to a family of believers who support and encourage one another on this journey of faith.

Romans 8:15-17 (NASB1995) assures us, “For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, ‘Abba! Father!’ The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.”

Embracing Your Identity and Living It Out

As you embrace your identity as a beloved child of God, remember the truth of 1 John 3:1: “See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are!” These words carry profound meaning and significance in the life of a believer. They reveal the depth of God’s love for you and affirm your position as a cherished member of His family.

When you truly grasp the reality that God loves you as His child, it transforms how you view yourself and the world around you. You no longer need to strive for acceptance or approval from others because you have the unconditional love and acceptance of your heavenly Father. You can walk with confidence, knowing that your worth and identity are rooted in His love.

Embracing your identity as a child of God also empowers you to live a life that reflects the character and love of your heavenly Father. His love becomes the foundation for your thoughts, words, and actions. It motivates you to extend grace and forgiveness to others, to demonstrate kindness and compassion, and to pursue righteousness and holiness in all areas of your life.

4 Ways to Live as God’s Child

1. Spend time daily in prayer and worship, acknowledging God as your loving Father and expressing your gratitude for His love and acceptance. Cultivate a deep and intimate relationship with Him, seeking His guidance and wisdom in all aspects of your life.
2. Seek opportunities to serve and love others, showing them the unconditional love that God has shown you. Look for ways to extend kindness, compassion, and support to those around you, demonstrating the transformative power of God’s love in action.
3. Continually renew your mind with the truth of God’s Word, meditating on verses that affirm your identity as His child. Memorize and internalize these verses, allowing them to shape your beliefs and thought patterns. When doubts or insecurities arise, combat them with the truth of Scripture.
4. Connect with a community of believers who can encourage and support you in your journey of faith. Surround yourself with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ who understand and embrace their identity as God’s children. Together, you can spur one another on toward love and good deeds, finding strength and accountability in your shared commitment to live out your identity in Christ.

Remember, you are not alone in this journey. Your heavenly Father walks with you every step of the way, guiding, comforting, and empowering you. As you embrace your identity as His child, you are equipped to navigate life’s challenges with confidence and hope. You have the assurance that no matter what circumstances you face, you are deeply loved, accepted, and secure in the arms of your heavenly Father.

So, go forth with joy and boldness, knowing that you belong to the family of God. Embrace your identity, walk in the assurance of His love, and live each day with the confidence that comes from being a cherished child of the Most High. May your life be a beautiful reflection of His love and grace, drawing others into the embrace of His unconditional love.