Living as children of God

I am writing these things to warn you about those who want to lead you astray. But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ. And now, dear children, remain in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame. Since we know that Christ is righteous, we also know that all who do what is right are God’s children. See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him. 1 John 2:26-3:1

What you believe will determine how you will behave. From the text, the Apostle John provided a warning telling the children of God that there will be those that will convince them to forsake their belief. Yet, he encouraged them to rely on the Holy Spirit’s presence in their lives and to remain faithful to the truth taught from God’s Word. For a child of God, truth matters. Just in this section of the Scripture, several times the phrase “children of God” was used. John emphasized the fact that the children of God know who God is. They are the ones who received the gift of life from God by placing their faith, confidence, and trust in Jesus Christ. “For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:26). There will come a time when Christians will see Christ face to face. This will happen when Jesus returns. “Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!” (Acts 1:10). While waiting for His return, the children of God will pursue the life God gave them. They will be committed to Christ and His teachings. They will do what is right before God so that when Jesus returns as John said, they “will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame.” Can you say right now that this will be the condition Good sees you if He returns any moment? Do you identify yourself with Christ? Realize the privilege to live the life God gave you because you trusted His as your Lord and Savior. Do not be ashamed of your relationship with God instead be identified with Him by living a life doing what is right before God. Jesus said, “Anyone who does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother” (Mark 3:35). Pray and ask God to help you be true to your claim that you are identified with Christ.

Blessings.