Understanding Our Role as God's Children through Biblical Analogies
The Bible frequently uses the analogy of children to describe humanity's relationship with God, particularly for believers. This imagery emphasizes both the intimate connection and the responsibilities inherent in this relationship. The Apostle John states, "Beloved, now we are children of God, and 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 BSB) [1, 2]. This verse highlights the present reality of being God's children and the future hope of full conformity to Christ's image.
The concept of being "children of God" is rooted in both creation and redemption. In the Old Testament, the phrase "sons of God" could refer to the pious descendants of Seth, angels, or, as in Hosea 1:10, the gracious relationship God has with humanity [4]. For believers in the New Testament, this sonship is primarily understood through adoption, a spiritual reality brought about by God's grace (Romans 8:14, 19; Galatians 4:5, 6) [4]. This adoption signifies a new status, moving believers from being "minors or slaves" to "mature children with full rights" [11].
As God's children, believers are called to imitate their heavenly Father, especially in love [9]. John Gill notes that while one does not become a child of God through imitation, one's actions can demonstrate that they are indeed God's children [8]. This imitation is a sign of being "saved of His grace" [7]. The Lord is depicted as being like a father to his children, an analogy that forms the basis for Jesus' teachings on God's fatherhood (Psalm 103:13) [6].
The relationship also carries responsibilities. Children are expected to obey God, fear Him, remember Him, and attend to parental teaching [3]. Parents, in turn, are to love their children, bring them to Christ, and train them in God's word [5]. Furthermore, being children of God means being "heirs of God" and "joint-heirs with Christ," sharing in His kingdom and glory, provided they also share in His sufferings (Romans 8:17) [10]. The ultimate destiny of God's children is to be like Christ when He appears, a transformation that is not yet fully revealed but is a certain future hope [2, 12].
Sources
- 1 John “Beloved, now we are children of God, and 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”
- I John “I John 3:2 (BSB) — Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Children — Christ was an example to -- Lu 2:51; Joh 19:26,27. Are a gift from God -- Ge 33:5; Ps 127:3. Are capable of glorifying God -- Ps 8:2; 148:12,13; Mt 21:15,16. Should be Brought to Christ. -- Mr 10:13-16. Brought early to the house of God. -- 1Sa 1:24. Instructed in the ways of God. -- De 31:12,13; Pr 22:6. Judiciously trained. -- Pr 22:15; 29:17; Eph 6:4. Should Obey God. -- De 30:2. Fear God. -- Pr 24:21. Remember God. -- Ec 12:1. Attend to parental teaching. -- Pr 1:8,9. Honour parents. -- Ex 20:12; Heb 12:9. Fear parents. -- Le 19:3. Obey parents. -- Pr ”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Son of God — The plural, "sons of God," is used (Gen. 6:2, 4) to denote the pious descendants of Seth. In Job 1:6; 38:7 this name is applied to the angels. Hosea uses the phrase (1:10) to designate the gracious relation in which men stand to God. In the New Testament this phrase frequently denotes the relation into which we are brought to God by adoption (Rom. 8:14, 19; 2 Cor. 6:18; Gal. 4:5, 6; Phil. 2:15; 1 John 3:1, 2). It occurs thirty-seven times in the New Testament as the distinctive title of our Saviour. He does not bear this title in consequence of his mirac”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Parents — Receive their children from God -- Ge 33:5; 1Sa 1:27; Ps 127:3. Their duty to their children is To love them. -- Tit 2:4. To bring them to Christ. -- Mt 19:13,14. To train them up for God. -- Pr 22:6; Eph 6:4. To instruct them in God's word. -- De 4:9; 11:19; Isa 38:19. To tell them of God's judgments. -- Joe 1:3. To tell them of the miraculous works of God. -- Ex 10:2; Ps 78:4. To command them to obey God. -- De 32:46; 1Ch 28:9. To bless them. -- Ge 48:15; Heb 11:20. To pity them. -- Ps 103:13. To provide for them. -- Job 42:15; 2Co 12:14; 1Ti 5:8. To rule”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 103:13: 103:13 The Lord is like a father to his children: This analogy forms the basis for Jesus’ teaching about God’s fatherhood (see Matt 5:43-48; 6:1; 10:19-20; 12:50; Luke 6:36; 12:29-32; John 8:31-59; 15:1-8; see also 2 Sam 7:14; Jer 3:19; 31:9; Mal 1:6; 2 Cor 6:16-18).”
- 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 3 (introduction): DISTINGUISHING MARKS OF THE CHILDREN OF GOD AND THE CHILDREN OF THE DEVIL. BROTHERLY LOVE THE ESSENCE OF TRUE RIGHTEOUSNESS. (1Jo. 3:1-24) Behold--calling attention, as to some wonderful exhibition, little as the world sees to admire. This verse is connected with the previous Jo1 2:29, thus: All our doing of righteousness is a mere sign that God, of His matchless love, has adopted us as children; it does not save us, but is a proof that we are saved of His grace. what manner of--of what surpassing excellence, how gracious on His part, ho”
- Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 5:45: That ye may be the children of your father,.... Not that any became the children of God, by doing things in imitation of him: for as in nature no man becomes the son of another by imitating him, or by doing the things he does but either by birth, or by adoption; so in grace no man becomes a child of God by the works he does, as a follower of God, but by adopting grace; and which is discovered in regeneration. Christ's meaning is, that they might appear, and be known to be the children of God, by doing those things in which they resemble their heavenly Father; and whi”
- Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 5 (introduction): EXHORTATIONS TO LOVE: AND AGAINST CARNAL LUSTS AND COMMUNICATIONS. CIRCUMSPECTION IN WALK: REDEEMING THE TIME: BEING FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT: SINGING TO THE LORD WITH THANKFULNESS: THE WIFE'S DUTY TO THE HUSBAND RESTS ON THAT OF THE CHURCH TO CHRIST. (Eph. 5:1-33) therefore--seeing that "God in Christ forgave you" (Eph 4:32). followers--Greek, "imitators" of God, in respect to "love" (Eph 5:2): God's essential character (Jo1 4:16). as dear children--Greek, "as children beloved"; to which Eph 5:2 refers, "As Christ also loved us" (Jo1”
- Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 8:17: And if children, then heirs--"heirs also." heirs of God--of our Father's kingdom. and joint-heirs with Christ--as the "First-born among many brethren" (Rom 8:29), and as "Heir of all things" (Heb 1:2). if so be that we suffer--"provided we be suffering with Him." that we may be also glorified together--with Him. This necessity of conformity to Christ in suffering in order to participate in His glory, is taught alike by Christ Himself and by His apostles (Joh 12:24-26; Mat 16:24-25; Ti2 2:12).”
- Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 8:14: 8:14 children of God: In the Old Testament, this phrase referred to Israel, the people God called to be his own (see especially Exod 4:22; Jer 3:19; 31:9; Hos 11:1). Paul uses it to remind believers that they enjoy an intimate relationship with God and that they will inherit many of the promises and blessings given to Israel. Christians are no longer minors or slaves, but mature children with full rights (see Gal 4:1-7).”
- 1 John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 John 3:2: Beloved, now are we the sons of God,.... By adoption, secretly in God's predestination, and in the covenant of grace; and openly in regeneration, through faith in Christ, and by the testimony of the Spirit: and it doth not yet appear what we shall be; though they are sons, they do not appear now as such, as they will do, when they shall be introduced into their Father's house, and into the many mansions there prepared for them; when Christ shall publicly own them as the children given unto him, and when they shall be put into the possession of the inheritance they ar”