Not everyone is a child of God

A very popular saying implies every person alive is a child of God.  As much as this sentiment aims to make everyone feel equal or a part of God’s kingdom, this saying is not biblically true.

John 1:12 says, “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.”  This verse reflects only those who choose to be born again through Jesus Christ are children of God. 

Galatians 3:26 says, “For you are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.”  This verse, written to a church, displays it is through their faith and salvation that they are children of God.  1 John 3:1 says, “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.”  John is confirming God calls those who are born again His children and pours out His love upon them. 

Those who do not belong to God through saving faith in Jesus Christ belong to the world and not God.  Being a child of God is only for those who have repented of their sins by asking Jesus to forgive them, turning away from their sins, and turning toward God.  The danger of the ideology of everyone being a child of God creates a false connection with God.  This leads those who do not know the Word of God to not repent or have a proper relationship with Jesus Christ as their Savior. 

Christians cannot be led by their emotions and give an unbiblical response to those they feel sorry for or give false hope.  Everyone must be born again.  John 3:3 says, “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”  Jesus’ own words even combat the false idea that everyone who lives on the earth is a child of God.  Children of God will have an inheritance as joint heirs with Jesus Christ (Romans 8:17).  Again, this inheritance only comes through the process of salvation.  Romans 8:14 says, “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.”

To be led by the Spirit of God, a person must have a connection with God due to the difference between the world’s spirit and the Holy Spirit.  The world cannot receive the Holy Spirit, nor can it know Him (1 Corinthians 2:12-14; 1 Corinthians 6:19; Romans 8:5-9).  God’s children must live holy and clean before God but also witness and evangelize to allow others to become children of God (Matthew 28:19-20; Romans 10:14-15; Matthew 5:16; Romans 10:9-10). 

The goal of every Christian should be to get as many people to give their lives to Jesus Christ in salvation as they can before their life is finished.  Christians must endeavor to overcome this problematic saying by converting those who are not born again so more people become children of God. 

For anyone reading this who is not currently a child of God, the process is made simple for anyone desiring to do so.  Talk to Jesus verbally in the same manner as talking to someone close by because He is.  Ask Jesus to forgive the sins committed in your life because of your faith that He died as the Son of God for those sins for your forgiveness of them, and He rose again to life. 

For more information about Abundant Grace Church, visit agcsparta.org.