A.In terms of spiritual maturity, Christians are not to be children.
1.As we mature in Christ, "we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming” (Eph. 4:14).
2.We are to "long for the pure milk of the word” like newborn babes (1Pet. 2:2), but in time we are to mature."For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant.But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil” (Heb. 5:13-14)
B.However, there are many ways in which the Lord commends Christians to always be childlike.Therefore, let us consider what it means to be a true child of God.
II.TO BE A CHILD OF GOD
A.Christians should possess the humility of a child.
1.In Matthew 18:1-4, the Lord’s disciples asked Him, "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”Jesus replied by calling a child to Himself and saying, "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
2.Consider the humility of a child.
a.A child recognizes that he is in submission to others, especially his parents.
b.A child knows that he is dependent on others, especially his parents.
c.A child sees that others are greater than he, especially his parents.
3.To humble oneself as a child requires one to think of himself as no more than a child even if he is great in ability, wisdom, power, or prestige.
a.All Christians should recognize that they are in submission to others, especially the Lord (Rom. 13:1-7; Eph. 5:21-24; 6:5-8; Tit. 2:9-10; 1Pet. 2:13-3:1; 5:5).
b.All Christians should know that they are dependent on others, especially God (Jas. 1:17).
c.All Christians should see that others are greater than they, especially God (Phil. 2:3-8; Jas. 4:10; 1Pet. 5:6).
B.Christians are born again with the innocence of a child.
1.Children are born without guilt and sin.
a.Regarding Jacob and Esau, the Bible says, "For though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad…” (Rom. 9:11).This is typical of all children, for having done nothing good or bad, they are innocent.
b.Contrary to the popular Calvinist doctrine of total depravity, God does not send souls into the world with an inherited guilt or a compulsion to sin.Instead, children are born innocent, and become corrupted only when they learn sin in the world (1John 2:15-17).
2.Likewise, children of God are born again without guilt and sin.
a.The new birth of a Christian is a spiritual regeneration that happens through obedient faith in Jesus Christ (John 3:1-8; Tit. 3:5; 1Pet. 1:3, 23)
b.Having been cleansed from sin, a child of God then lives a life of innocence in faith and godliness.Consider a few passages that express this truth.
i.1Corinthians 14:20 – "Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.”
ii.Ephesians 5:7-10 – "Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.”
iii.Philippians 2:14-15 – "Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world.”
C.Christians look to the Father with the dependence of a child.
1.Children are completely dependent upon others for everything they need, and they recognize this.
a.From birth, an infant is powerless to supply his own needs.He can only cry out for his parents to help him.
b.This dependence continues until the child reaches adulthood.For this reason, reliable, compassionate, and generous parents are a source of great security for children.
2.To be a child of God, one must likewise recognize his complete dependence upon God for all things.
a.All people depend on God whether they acknowledge Him or not, "for in Him we live and move and exist” (Acts 17:28).
b.A Christian knows that "every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow” (Jas. 1:17).
c.Christians are especially aware of their spiritual dependence on Jesus for salvation and forgiveness, for "there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
d.There is no greater security than reliance of the God of heaven.He "is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think” (Eph. 3:20).
D.Christians pattern their lives after Christ with the imitation of a child.
1.As the saying goes, "Like father, like son.”Naturally, children imitate their parents and become like them in many ways.
2.Likewise, children of God should imitate their Father in holy conduct and behavior.Consider these passages of Scripture:
a.Matthew 5:48 – "Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
b.Ephesians 5:1 – "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.”
c.1Peter 1:14-16 – "As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’”
3.Notice that imitation is not the same as acting or pretending.
a.Christians should not pretend to be like Christ just to create an appearance of religion.To pretend is hypocrisy, and Jesus strongly condemned it (Matt. 6:1-18; 15:7-9; 23:1-36).
b.Instead, Christians should become genuine imitators of Christ.In this way, they are truly Christ-like disciples of the Lord Jesus (Luke 6:40; John 13:13-17).
III.ARE YOU A CHILD OF GOD?
A.God is the Holy Father, Christ is the only begotten Son, and Christians are children of God.
1.Many names are used to describe God, but "Father” designates a special relationship between the believer and God (Matt. 23:9; Eph. 4:6).
2.Christ Jesus is "the only begotten Son,” which means that He holds a unique relationship with the Father (John 1:18; 3:16; 1John 4:9).
3.Christians are described as "sons of God” through adoption by faith in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:14-16; Gal. 3:26; Eph. 1:5).
4.What a great blessing it is to be a child of God and have membership in His household!
a."But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even 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)
b."See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.” (1John 3:1)
B.Is God your Father?Is Christ your Brother?Are Christians your family?Are you a child of God?
1.Notice the words of Jesus:
a."If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and have come from God, for I have not even come on My own initiative, but He sent Me.” (John 8:42)
b."If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him.” (John 14:23)
2.If you are not a child of God, then you need to be.The word of God has instructed you what you must do.Love the Father by loving the Son and keeping His commandments.If you will do this, then you can be a child of God.
