Characteristics of a Child of God - Part 1

8/25/2019

by Whitney V. Myers

You Will Know Them by Their Fruits - Matthew 7:16 - 123RF Photo - Used under license

"You will know them by their fruits." (Matthew 7:16)

"By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother." (1 John 3:10)

"For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God." (Romans 8:14)

This lesson is the second in a series on "The Children of God." The first lesson in the series discussed "Becoming a Child of God" (Ref. 1). Today's lesson is the first of two lessons on the Characteristics of a Child of God.

Consider. The Bible describes the children of God as having certain characteristics. How do you know a child of God when you see one? What are the distinguishing marks of a child of God?

A Child of God Bears Spiritual Fruit

A child of God passes the fruit test. Jesus said, "You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?" (Matthew 7:16) A child of God is recognized by the fruit that he or she bears.

Jesus said that in order to bear much fruit, we must abide in (remain in, stay connected to) him. "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing " (John 15:5, Ref. 2). Bearing spiritual fruit is the natural outgrowth of being attached to the vine, Jesus Christ.

The Apostle Paul describes the fruit of the Spirit as "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23).

The first characteristic of a child of God is a person who is bearing spiritual fruit.

A Child of God Practices Obedience, Righteousness, and Godliness

A child of God practices obedience, righteousness, and godliness:

Obedience - A child of God obeys and does God's will. In the parable of the two sons, the son who did go to work in the vineyard did the will of his father (Matthew 21:28-31). Note the difference between doing God's will and rebelling against or refusing to do God's will. Jesus emphasized the importance of doing God's will when he said, "For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother" (Matthew 12:50). Obeying God's will is essential for our relationship with Jesus and our heavenly Father.

Righteousness - A child of God practices righteousness and does not willfully, habitually sin. 1 John 3:10 says, "By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God ..." Practicing righteousness means doing what is deemed right by the Lord, i.e. what is approved in His eyes (HELPS-Word studies, Ref. 3). 1 John 3:9 illustrates what it means to practice righteousness. "No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God" (1 John 3:9, italics added).

Godliness - The Apostle Paul instructs his spiritual son, Timothy, "Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness" (1 Timothy 4:7). The Greek word for discipline is gumnazó, which means train oneself with full effort (Ref. 4). The English words "gym" and "gymnasium" come from this same root. The Greek word for godliness is eusebeia, which means piety (reverence) toward God. Eusebeia also means devotion (Ref. 5). In the same way that an athlete trains with full effort in a gym, every child of God should train with full effort in reverence and devotion towards God.

A Child of God is Led by the Spirit

When we are a child of God, the Holy Spirit is our guide for life (Romans 8:14). The Holy Spirit guides us into all the truth and helps us understand the scriptures (John 16:13, John 14:26, Ref. 6). The Holy Spirit helps us to put to death the deeds of the flesh (Romans 8:13). The Holy Spirit guides us in making decisions (James 1:5), what to do (Acts 10:19-20), and where to go (Acts 16:6-10). A child of God has an active, dynamic relationship with God, and follows the leading of the Holy Spirit in his/her life.

Apply. Are you exhibiting the distinguishing characteristics of a child of God? Consider the main points in this lesson:

Are you bearing spiritual fruit?
Are you obeying and doing God's will in all matters?
Are you practicing righteousness, and not practicing willful sin?
Are you training with full effort in your devotion to God?
Are you seeking and receiving the Holy Spirit's guidance as you study the scriptures and make personal decisions?

In the next lesson (Ref. 7), we will continue our study of the Characteristics of a Child of God.

Related Topics
"Becoming a Child of God" (John 1:12-13)
"Characteristics of a Child of God - Part 2" (Matthew 5:16)
"Our Adoption as God's Children" (Galatians 4:4-5)

References
1. https://www.ScriptureWay.com/home/becoming-a-child-of-god
2. https://www.ScriptureWay.com/home/jesus-is-the-true-vine
3. https://biblehub.com/greek/1343.htm
4. https://biblehub.com/greek/1128.htm
5. https://biblehub.com/greek/2150.htm
6. https://www.ScriptureWay.com/home/the-spirit-of-truth
7. https://www.ScriptureWay.com/home/characteristics-of-a-child-of-god-part-2

15 Comments

Becoming a Child of God

8/11/2019

2 Comments

by Mr. Whitney V. Myers

Download a printable PDF of this post .

Becoming a Child of God - John 1:12 - 123RF Photo - Used under license

"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1:12-13 NKJV)

Becoming a child of God is both a starting point and a life-long process -- a starting point when a person receives Christ and a process of growth from spiritual infancy to spiritual maturity.

This lesson is the first in a series on "The Children of God."

Consider. Have you become a child of God? Are you growing and increasing in spiritual maturity as a child of God?

The Biblical Requirement for Becoming a Child of God Is Receiving Christ

John, Jesus' disciple, wrote "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name" (John 1:12). Receiving [accepting] Jesus Christ is the biblical condition for an individual becoming a child of God (Ref. 1, Figure 1 below). Becoming a child of God starts when a person receives Christ. Receiving Jesus Christ individually contrasts with the great mass of people (including the scribes and Pharisees) who have rejected Christ.

The words, "to those who believe in his name," further explain the condition for becoming a child of God. A person receives Jesus by believing he is true - by trusting in, adhering to, and relying on him. By God's grace, a person can become a child of God by believing in Jesus Christ, regardless of that person's demographic or national identity.

Figure 1: Becoming a Child of God - Both a Starting Point and a Growth Process

Becoming a Child of God Begins When We Are Born of God

John continues the description of children of God in verse 13, "... who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God" (John 1:13). Becoming a child of God requires being born of God, not by the will of man [Greek anér -- a husband] (Ref. 2).

Although all human beings are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26), not all human beings are children of God in the born again sense described by John. Jesus said to Nicodemus, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). John also wrote, "Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves the child born of Him" (1 John 5:1).

Becoming a Child of God Also Is a Life-Long Growth Process

When we first receive Christ, we are spiritual infants regardless of our physical age. Becoming a spiritually mature child of God requires growth. In John 1:12, the Greek word for become in "become children of God" means to emerge or transition from one condition to another (Ref. 3). Becoming a child of God requires growing in Christ over time so we transition from spiritual infancy to spiritual maturity (Figure 1). The Apostle Peter wrote, "Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, and like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation" (1 Peter 2:1-2).

Becoming a Child of God Is a Privilege

John writes "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right [privilege, authority] to become children of God" (John 1:12, brackets added, Ref. 4). Becoming a child of God is a privilege far more so than being the child of any human being (Ref. 5). Becoming a child of God is God's blessing; it is not something we earn (Ephesians 2:8). Jesus gives this favor, this privilege, to those who believe in his name (John 1:12).

Apply. Be sure that you a child of God. Believe in the name of Jesus. Trust him. Have faith in him. Grow to maturity as a child of God. Long for, study, and apply the word of God to your life. Love and grow in your relationship with your heavenly Father. As a child of God, love and serve others in the name of Jesus.

Related Topics
"Characteristics of a Child of God - Part 1" (Matthew 7:16)
"Characteristics of a Child of God - Part 2" (Matthew 5:16)
"Our Adoption as God's Children" (Galatians 4:4-5)

References
1. https://biblehub.com/greek/2983.htm
2. https://biblehub.com/greek/435.htm
3. https://biblehub.com/greek/1096.htm
4. https://biblehub.com/greek/1849.htm
5. https://biblehub.com/commentaries/barnes/john/1.htm

2 Comments

Bible Teachings

Characteristics of a Child of God - Part 1

A Child of God Bears Spiritual Fruit

A Child of God Practices Obedience, Righteousness, and Godliness

A Child of God is Led by the Spirit

Becoming a Child of God

The Biblical Requirement for Becoming a Child of God Is Receiving Christ

Becoming a Child of God Begins When We Are Born of God

Becoming a Child of God Also Is a Life-Long Growth Process

Becoming a Child of God Is a Privilege

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