We’ve all heard the popular assertion, “We are all God’s children.”, but is this slogan really a true statement of fact according to Scripture?
In this article we shall examine that question and see what Scripture has to say about it.
If we carefully study and exegete Scripture relating to this topic, four things stand out in stark contrast:
- Scripture is clear, only regenerated, born again believers are God’s children.
At the time one is saved, they are adopted into God’s family. The context is we are spiritual children, not physical. The story of the Bible is the story of adoption. We Elect are adopted into God’s spiritual family as a chosen child of God. The logical inference we can make from these truth propositions from Scripture is that if only the Elect are God’s children, then all the non-Elect are not God’s children! So we are not God’s children by virtue of our natural birth (when we were born), but rather it is determined on the basis of our new birth in Christ. This makes some people uncomfortable. Nevertheless, as Christians we have a duty to stand on God’s Word. - Scripture is also clear that Satan is the father of the unregenerate.
For the totally depraved unregenerate, all their thoughts, ways, and inclinations are according to their nature. Thus they are wholly evil, all the time, and they are truly Satan’s children. They are God’s enemies, and they do his will, not God’s will. We can only do God’s will when we have been spiritually brought to life from being spiritually dead. - Scripture is clear that the unregenerate do not possess the image of God.
The number one rejoinder I hear, from people who believe every single person ever born are God’s children, is that we are made in the image of God; thus that proves we are God’s children. That is totally wrong. First being made in God’s image means we are created above mere animals (evolution is false and Satanic) and have self-perception and sentience. We can reason. We can create and destroy. However, as I argue in one of my blog posts (you can find it linked to below), I believe, as well as many of the leading Reformed thinkers, we lost this image in the Fall. The unregenerate do not have God’s image. This image is restored to us when we are regenerated. Certainly the unregenerate can reason. But they absolutely cannot reason and discern spiritual truths. - We can have absolute assurance we are God’s children.
Scripture says that the Holy Spirit communicates with our spirit that we are God’s children. This inner witness will be there for every regenerate person.
The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.
Romans 8:16
This Scripture relates to point 4 above.
The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.
1 Corinthians 2:14
This Scripture relates to point 3 above.
The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
2 Corinthians 4:4
This Scripture relates to point 3 above. This amazing Scripture informs us that God Himself has blinded the unbeliever’s (unregenerate) minds so that they cannot repent and have faith. Only when the Holy Spirit quickens their soul from a dead state to an alive state, and He imparts the gifts of repentance and faith, do they become regenerate and able to discern spiritual matters.
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.”
John 1:12
This Scripture relates to point 1 above.
Speaking to a group of Jews, Jesus says:
“You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
John 8:44
This Scripture relates to point 2 above. Jesus was speaking to the Jewish Pharisees, but the truth He conveys to us is applicable to all unbelievers.
“God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great delight.”
Ephesians 1:5
This Scripture relates to point 1 above.
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.
1 John 3:10
This Scripture relates to point 2 above.
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