Children of God - The Crosswalk Devotional - August 13

Children of God
By Megan J. Conner

Bible Reading:
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” 1 John 3:1 (NIV)

It can be so easy to feel lost, isolated, or even abandoned in today’s world. The pressures of life, the unrealistic expectations we place upon ourselves, the burdens placed upon us by others, and the challenges and brokenness often present in our relationships can cause us to retreat inward, feeling like the only way forward is to go it alone. However, nothing could be farther from the truth. While all relationships will be imperfect as they are composed of fallible human beings, the need for companionship and belonging in a family unit is part of God’s divine design.

From the very beginning, God saw that it was not good for man to be alone.

“The LORD God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him,” (Genesis 2:18, NIV).

God intentionally placed us in relationships with others for our good. However, He didn’t stop there. He intended for us to be His children. The Creator of the universe desired to be our Heavenly Father. How unfathomable is that? However, similar to our human relationships, which can often be filled with distance or turmoil, intimacy with our Heavenly Father was separated by sin. This occurred originally in the Garden of Eden through Adam and Eve, but remains present in each one of our tainted hearts.

Again, unwilling to settle for separation from those He loves, God lavished love upon us by sending His one and only Son to pay the penalty for our transgressions so that we might be reconciled to God. Taking it even one step further, our Good Father didn’t just want reconnection with us, He invites us into His affections and inheritance as children of God.

“Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ,” (Romans 8:17, NIV).

We have been brought into the fold, redeemed, and are treasured as children of the Living God. We will inherit His Kingdom just like a prince or princess would through their royal lineage. That is how valuable you personally are to Him. Sometimes, our earthly relationships with parents or caretakers affect our ability to open our hearts to our Heavenly Father. Again, human relationships are messy and can be fraught with difficulty or disappointment. But, “God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” (Num 23:19, NIV).

He assures us over and over again in His Word of His faithfulness and unending affection towards us. The Bible states:

“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV)

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 (NIV)

“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.” 1 John 4:16 (NIV)

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (NIV)

These scriptures and more assure us of our Heavenly Father’s patient and everlasting love for each one of us. We truly are children of God. What a Good Father He is to us.

Intersecting Faith & Life:

Do you believe you are a child of God? Why or why not? If you struggle with accepting this reality, are you able to pinpoint a specific cause of your mistrust? Even those of us who are able to comprehend God’s fathership, can still struggle to feel worthy enough to be called a child of God. If that is you today, may I remind you that His love for you is not conditional. It is not based on performance. You do not need to earn it. You don’t have to be good enough.  So today, wherever you find yourself, I pray you open your heart to your Heavenly Father and receive the abundant love that He is pouring out over you.

Further Reading:
1 John 4:7-21
Romans 5

Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/MichaelTruelove 

Megan J. Conner is an author, editor, speaker, avid consumer of literature, writing consultant, and overall lover of all things creative!  She is passionate about the written word and compelling storytelling. Whether that is through imaginative and whimsical children’s literature or faith-based works that allow readers to be immersed in narratives of authentic faith shared through the lives of imperfect people, Megan hopes to remind audiences of the beauty and power of shared stories.

To read more from Megan, check out her Blog, Just One More Chapter.  If you would like to connect further with Megan, you can discover more on her Website, on Facebook, or Instagram.

Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at Crosswalk.com! 

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