Children of God
Scripture Reading — 1 John 3:1-10
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! 1 John 3:1
In the course of human life, perhaps no tie is as strong as that between a parent and child. Most parents have an inborn passion for their children. Mothers and fathers will often go to any length to protect their children from harm.
Isn't it wonderful, then, that God has called us his children? In spite of our sin and ugliness, God decided to adopt us into his family. He has given us all the rights and privileges of being his children.
As God's children, we have become heirs. We have been written into God's will and given an eternal future. God will protect us and love us with the passion and resolve that go beyond those of any human parent. Mothers know the pain of childbirth. But more difficult is the price God paid to adopt us as his children.
Jesus Christ went to hell for his brothers and sisters. His pain was not only the excruciating torture of the crucifixion. His hurt was not just the hurt of utter humiliation and mockery. His pain was the agony of being abandoned by his Father--separated from God himself. Jesus' despair caused him to cry aloud, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Mark 15:34). Such agony was also the Father's price for our adoption. God sacrificed his only Son so that we might be called children of God. This is the greatest love ever known.
Father God, thank you for granting us the privilege of calling you our Father. Thank you for your willingness to sacrifice your Son so that we might be your children. Amen.
About the author — Jerry Dykstra
Pastor Jerry Dykstra was recently appointed as the executive director of the Christian Reformed Church in North America. After a 15-year career in business, he trained for pastoral ministry and served as the pastor of Cascade Fellowship CRC, Cascade, Michigan, and Faith Christian Fellowship CRC, Walnut Creek, California. He and his wife, Linda, live in Byron Center, Michigan, and have three children and seven grandchildren.
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