#4 Only Christians are Children of God (48 views)
From:  David (DavidABrown)    10/25/2002 5:17 pm  
To:  ALL   (1 of 3)  
 
  460.1  
 
#4 Only Christians are the Children of God, non-believers are separated from God by their own choice and actions and not by Gods choice.

Romans 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we (Christians) are the children of God.

Romans 9:8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh (physical), these are not the children of God:

Only Christians are "Born Again  Born from Above" therefore only Christians have the Spirit of God making Christians "Children" of God and as Children in the Family of God partaking in an intimate relationship with God our Father.

Galatians 3:26-27 For ye (Christians) are all the children of God by Faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been Baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

It is evident that people are humans and as humans we live within the limitations of humanity and as humans we also die within the limitations of humanity. There cannot be any dissension regarding the frailty of the human existence, no one physically lives much longer that about the span of 100 years.

The human lifecycle is clearly revealed in the Bible that All mankind has descended from Adam and Eve and therefore All mankind is inherently in the sinful condition passed on from Adam and Eve and All mankind is in need of an individual Spiritual rebirth from Jesus in order to overcome the physical death that is certain for everyone.

Lets look at this:

The Bible shows us that there are distinct and different categories of people.

Everyone is conceived in sin and therefore begins life separated from God. 
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God.

God is calling out to everyone to no longer continue in separation but to be reunited to God through the cross and Resurrection of Jesus. 
John 12:32 And I (Jesus), if I be lifted up from the earth will draw all men unto me. 

Those that Respond to the Call of God by Faith acknowledging the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus, these people are cleansed of their own sins and Jesus then Breathes His Spirit into this person creating a new Child of God. 
John 20:22 And when He (Jesus) had said this, He breathed on them and saith unto them, "Receive ye the Holy Ghost" (become a Christian).

The New Christian now has the Spirit of God and is now a Child of God no longer separated but is now in the family of God and in Spiritual fellowship with God Himself. 
Romans 8:16 The Spirit Himself [Self 3rd Person (846)] beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.

The Children of God are now Predestined (appointed outcome) to the Adoption of God to become Sons of God. 
Ephesians 1:5 Having Predestined us unto the Adoption [of Sons* (5206)] by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.

A Child of God then becomes a Son of God in their own individual resurrection, after physical death, when the soul and spirit of the Christian enter into the perceivable presence of God and God then Adopts the Child elevating the Child to a Son by giving the Son a new Spiritual body to replace the physical body that has just died. It is upon receiving the new unique Spirit body from God that the child of God becomes a Son of God. 
Romans 8:23 And not only they (creation groans), but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit (Christians), even we ourselves groan within ourselves waiting for the Adoption, to wit the Redemption of our Body.

As a Son of God and now in Heaven (Perceivable presence of God) with God the Son receives an Inheritance from God his Father. The Inheritance includes an Abode (Place to live) an Occupation and resources to live and thrive on. We are Children of God while here on earth then we become Sons of God in Heaven in the Manifested presence of God. Another distinction between Children and Sons is that we Children on earth struggle with sin and the physical realm. Once a Son in Heaven we are freed from sin and enter the ease of the Spiritual realm.
Colossians 1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the Inheritance of the Saints in Light.

The people here on earth are either non-believers or they are believers and when believers they are children of God, the non-believers that have lived and have now died and died in their own sins are now separated from God forever as there is no longer a remedy for human sin after human death. While the people in Heaven are now Sons of God.

We can agree to agree that not all people are the same in the sight of God yet it depends on the individual as to their relationship or lack of relationship with God because God has made it clear that He is available for everyone.

*Note the King James Version Bible often interchanges "Child" and "Son," a Greek reference may be referenced to determine if the Original word is Son or Child.


**Note this topic is only in reference to the Church and to the Gentiles it does not take into account the Jews as that is a separate matter in regards to their relationship with God.



David A. Brown
Basic Christian: Forum
www.BasicChristian.org

 
