Thursday, October 30, 2014
1 John 3:1 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.
CHILDREN OF GOD
Very often it can be insulting for adults to be referred to as "children." Children are usually dependent on others for their food, for their shelter, for their "portable shelters" (clothing), for their protection from predators, for their very life. Adults, however, work hard to provide such things for themselves and for their children.
Sometimes, however, the term "children" refers not to our maturity, but to our origins. The "Children of Israel" included people at all stages of maturity, all sharing a common heritage. So it is also with the "Children of God." No matter how different they may be in age or maturity, they have all been "born of God" (John 1:13).
Remembering our heritage is so important that no less than the Spirit of God himself "bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ" (Romans 8:16-17). Remembering our heritage leads us to "be imitators of God, as beloved children," and to walk in love (Ephesians 5:1-2).
Remembering our heritage includes remembering the "milk" upon which we were first fed, not forsaking those basic principles of God's Word as we move on to solid food, but retaining them as the foundation (Hebrews 6:1) of our life in Christ.
Preserve, O Lord, Your children, Your own blest heritage;
Resist, disperse, and scatter Those who against You rage.
Let Your commandments guide us, Grant us Your heavenly food;
Clothe us in Your rich garments,Bought with Your precious blood.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 264:4)
