Identity: You are a Child of God
Identity is so important, yet often we look in all the wrong places to define who we are. It's not meant to be earned through achievements or defined by our feelings, thoughts, or others' opinions. Our identity isn't found in our location, political affiliation, sexuality, or appearance.
Instead, our true identity is meant to be found in Christ. He defines who we are. And remarkably, this identity isn't something we earn from Him or achieve through our efforts—it's something we freely receive.
Becoming Children of God
John 1:12-13 beautifully explains this transformation:
"...to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God."
Notice the simplicity of this passage. It's not about impressing God or earning status through church attendance, financial contributions, or service hours. It's about receiving Jesus through faith. At that moment, a spiritual rebirth occurs, and you become a child of God.
This becomes your new core identity—you are a child of God. This relationship with your God and Father through Jesus Christ forms the foundation of who you are.
Three Powerful Words That Define Your New Identity
John uses three significant words in this passage that deserve our attention:
1. "The Right"
This confers your status as God's child. You have the full authority to claim the exalted title of "Child of God." Think about what this means—the God of the universe, the holy, all-powerful, all-knowing Creator who speaks things into existence and holds the world together grants you the right to be called His child.
2. "Become"
This word indicates transformation. You weren't always a child of God, but you've become one now. You were someone different before Christ, but now you've been fundamentally changed. This isn't just a new title—at your very core, you have been transformed into a child of God.
3. "Children"
John specifically uses "children" rather than "sons" to emphasize the shared nature between God and believers. As Leon Morris notes in his commentary, this connects to 2 Peter 1:4, which speaks of how we are "partakers of the divine nature."
In essence, you now share the spiritual DNA of God the Father. That's why you're not just called His child but have truly become His child at the deepest level of your being.
You Are Beloved
John expands on this identity in 1 John 3:1-2:
"See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children now..."
You are not just a child of God—you are a beloved child of God. "Beloved" means "dearly loved." This is the same term God used for Jesus at His baptism in Luke 3:22: "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."
Remarkably, God said this before Jesus began His earthly ministry—before any miracles or teachings. And the same is true for you! You are His beloved child, and He is well pleased with you. Not because of your behavior or performance, but simply because you are His.
Living as the Beloved
In his book "Abba's Child," Brennan Manning shares the story of John Eagan, an ordinary man transformed by God's love. During a spiritual retreat, John's mentor Bob told him:
"John, the heart of it is this: to make the Lord and his immense love for you constitutive of your personal worth. Define yourself radically as one beloved by God. God's love for you and his choice of you constitute your worth. Accept that, and let it become the most important thing in your life."
John then declared:
"The basis of my personal worth is not my possessions, my talents, not esteem of others, reputation...not kudos of appreciation from parents and kids, not applause, and everyone telling me how important I am to the place...No, I stand anchored now in God before whom I stand naked, this God who tells me, 'You are my son, my beloved one.'"
Manning later wrote:
"Living in awareness of our belovedness is the axis around which the Christian life revolves. Being the beloved is our identity, the core of our existence. It is not merely a lofty thought, an inspiring idea, or one name among many. It is the name by which God knows us and the way he relates to us."
This is how God knows you and relates to you daily—as His beloved child.
Sons, Not Slaves
Romans 8:14-15 adds another dimension to our identity:
"For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abba, Father.'"
Paul contrasts being a slave versus being a son of God. A slave has no rights, is considered property, receives no inheritance, and lives in fear of rejection. But a son has security, receives the inheritance, and has status.
Regardless of your gender, Paul wants you to understand the privileged status you have as God's child. You have an intimate relationship with Him where you are fully loved and accepted.
Approaching God with Confidence
Bob George in "Classic Christianity" shares a powerful illustration from the Kennedy administration:
The small boy, not quite 3 years old, skipped down the imposing corridors. Armed servicemen took little notice as the child ran past. The boy passed staff members who barely acknowledged him except for an occasional smile. Ignoring a secretary's wave, the child continued toward his goal. At the door stood another armed sentry who made no move to stop him. The boy simply opened the door, ran across the carpet of the Oval Office, and climbed into the lap of the most powerful man in the world. Cabinet members had to pause their discussion as President John F. Kennedy and his son, John-John, exchanged their morning hugs and kisses.
Imagine someone objecting: "Wait just a minute! Don't you know who that man is? He's the president of the United States, the leader of the greatest nation on earth. You can't just waltz in here anytime you want. And you certainly can't be sitting in his lap! Who do you think you are?"
John-John would have looked up with surprise and then, with complete confidence, simply said, "He's my daddy!"
Embracing Your Divine Identity
It makes all the difference to know who your Father is and to know who you are. You are a child of God. And God may be attending to countless important matters throughout the cosmos, surrounded by armies of angels, yet you can come skipping into His presence, and if anyone questions your right to approach Him so boldly, you can simply say, "This is my Daddy, and I am His beloved child." Then you can crawl up into His lap and rest securely in His arms.
This is your true identity. Embrace it and let it transform how you live each day.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for supporting our ministry through the book purchases you make through this site
