Who then is a child of God? Even since Christ had died and resurrected, becoming a child of God is a matter of choice. It is not hereditary. Becoming a child of God is a gift offered to all by God.
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It is not by work. No one can boast of doing anything to earn it. It is the favour of God. However, the offer must be consciously accepted by faith. Whosoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved - Ephesians 2:8-10.
The Holy Spirit has a role to play before anyone can become a child of God. It is the Holy Spirit of God that witness to the 'spirit man' in every human that he is now a child of God. Thereafter the Spirit of God will be directing such individual - Roman's 8:14-16.
What happens the moment someone becomes born again - becomes a child of God? Old things will pass away. Every thing becomes new in his life. Such a believer is restored by Christ to what God had originally created him to be - 2 Corinthians 5:17. To have dominion over all other creatures and bear the image of the second Adam, the heavenly man - Genesis 1:26; 1 Corinthians 15:47-49.
The regenerated man will exchange the sinful nature he inherits from Adam with righteous nature of Christ. The entire gospel comes into focus in conversion of a sinful man to a child of God. God's love is demonstrated in that He gave an inestimable gift (His Son) to the sinful man. This is the height of love - John 3:16.
WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A CHILD OF GOD?
- He is led by the Spirit of God - John 8:14.
- He does not commit sin wilfully. The seed of God in Him prevents him from sinning. 1 John 3:9.
- A child of God is not afraid of evil because he is conscious of God's presence - Psalms 23:4.
- A child of God is not rebellious - 1 Samuel 15:22-23.
- A child of God will always hunger and thirst after righteousness - Matthew 5:6.
- A child of God will gladly rise up for the salvation of others as commanded by the Lord - Mark 16:15.
- A child of God must be like a little child in simple obedience to the word of God and purity of heart - Matthew 18:3-4.
- A child of God watchful. He cannot be easily deceived by false prophets. He abides in Christ and the word of God abides in him - John 15:7.
- A child of God hopes for ultimate salvation on the last day. Therefore he keeps himself purified daily to be qualified in the end - 1 John 3:2-3.
- A child of God like Moses will choose to suffer affliction with the people of God rather than enjoy the pleasure of sin for a short time - Hebrews 11:25.
In the light of the above, you are expected to examine yourselves whether or not you still a child of God that you were when you first believed. God is merciful; you can still mend your ways with Him before it is too late - 2 Corinthians 13:5.