You hear it all the time.
“You’re a child of God.”
But if you’re honest… it doesn’t always feel that way.
Some days you feel close.
Other days you feel distant.
Sometimes you feel confident.
Other times you question everything.
So what does it actually mean to be God’s child?
Is it just a nice idea… or something real you’re meant to live from?
There’s something in this verse that changes how you see yourself.
Let’s see what the Scripture actually says.
READ THE VERSE (KJV)
“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.”
1 John 3:1 (KJV)
SECTION: WHAT DOES “BE CALLED THE SONS OF GOD” MEAN?
“Called” here isn’t just a label.
It’s a reality.
God isn’t just describing you.
He’s defining your relationship with Him.
Think about it like this.
If someone calls you something… but it’s not true, it doesn’t stick.
But when God says it… it becomes your identity.
“But as many as received him… to them gave he power to become the sons of God.”
John 1:12 (KJV)
So this isn’t something you grow into slowly.
It’s something you’re brought into.
Here’s the question.
Are you treating this like a title… or a real relationship?
SECTION: WHAT IS REALLY BEING SAID HERE?
This verse starts with something important.
“Behold.”
That means stop and look closely.
Because this isn’t normal love.
It says:
“What manner of love…”
In other words… what kind of love is this?
The kind that brings you into God’s family.
Not as an outsider.
Not as someone trying to earn it.
But as a child.
And that can feel hard to accept.
Because your mind still measures things.
Am I doing enough?
Am I consistent enough?
Am I worthy?
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8 (KJV)
So this love didn’t wait for you to get it right.
It brought you in first.
SECTION: CONTEXT CHANGES EVERYTHING
Right after this, it says:
“Beloved, now are we the sons of God…”
1 John 3:2 (KJV)
Not later.
Not eventually.
Now.
So this isn’t about becoming God’s child someday.
It’s about recognizing what’s already true.
Even if it doesn’t fully show yet.
That changes how you see your current life.
SECTION: THE CONNECTION MOST PEOPLE MISS
This connects to something God has always wanted.
“I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters…”
2 Corinthians 6:18 (KJV)
This wasn’t a last-minute idea.
God’s plan has always been relationship.
So 1 John 3:1 isn’t just a statement.
It’s part of a bigger story that leads to you being brought into His family.
SECTION: WHERE THIS SHOWS UP IN REAL LIFE (BIBLE STORIES)
Look at The Prodigal Son for a second.
He walked away.
Lost everything.
Came back expecting to be treated like a servant.
But the father saw him differently.
“For this my son was dead, and is alive again…”
Luke 15:24 (KJV)
He didn’t have to earn his place back.
He was still a son.
So ask yourself.
Are you approaching God like you have to earn your way back…
or like you already belong?
Look at Moses.
He spoke with God personally.
“And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend…”
Exodus 33:11 (KJV)
That’s relationship.
Not distant. Not formal.
Close.
So here’s the question.
Are you keeping God at a distance… or stepping into the relationship He’s offering?
SECTION: LET’S BE HONEST
This can feel hard to believe.
Because you still see your flaws.
Still feel inconsistent.
And it makes you question if you really fit in God’s family.
But listen.
“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:”
Romans 8:16 (KJV)
This isn’t something you have to force.
It’s something God confirms.
Even when your feelings don’t line up.
SECTION: WHAT ACTUALLY CHANGES WHEN YOU LIVE THIS
Here’s the shift.
You move from feeling like an outsider
to living from belonging.
Before, everything feels uncertain.
You question your place.
You hold back.
You feel distant.
Now?
You start from something settled.
You are God’s child.
“And if children, then heirs; heirs of God…”
Romans 8:17 (KJV)
That changes how you approach Him.
Not hesitant.
Not trying to impress.
But coming as someone who belongs.
Not perfectly.
But honestly.
OUTRO (NO PRAYER)
You don’t have to earn your place in God’s family.
According to Scripture… you’ve been brought into it.
So the real question is…
are you going to keep seeing yourself on the outside…
or start living like you’re already in?
Sit with that today.
Call to Action: The Question That Demands an AnswerIn Acts 2:37 Peter and the Apostles were asked the question – What Shall We do? And in Acts 2:38 Peter answered, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. Do you understand this? After hearing the gospel and believing, they asked what should would do. The answer hasn’t changed friend, Peter clearly gave the answer. The question for you today is, Have you receieved the Holy Spirit Since you believed? If you’re ready to take that step, or you want to learn more about what it means to be born again of water and Spirit, visit: Come, and let the Spirit make you new. |
