Unshakeable Identity: Knowing You Are a Child of God
Here's another powerful truth in our Courageous 21 series, revealing an incredible aspect of your identity in Christ. We find this life-transforming truth in John 1:12, which says, "But to all who did receive him, he gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in his name."
When you accept Jesus into your heart, when you believe in His name and His finished work on the cross, you are granted an extraordinary privilege: you become a child of God. You don’t just get a new identity, you belong to a new family; and not just any family - the Family of God! You are not a distant cousin, but a son or daughter. Consider the words of renowned theologian J.l. Packer. He writes in his book, Knowing God:
"What is a Christian? The richest answer I know is that a Christian is one who has God as Father."
Packer emphasizes that the heart of the Christian life (your life), and at the heart of your identity, is understanding and embracing God as our Father. This profound relationship with God redefines our identity and shapes how we live out our faith daily.
This identity as a child of God is not just a title or a status - it is a transformative truth that reshapes how you see yourself and how you live your life. You are not striving to earn His love or prove your worth. You are already loved, already accepted, and already valued. You live from a place of security and confidence, knowing that your Father in heaven is always with you, guiding you, and strengthening you.
When each of my 3 wonderful children were born, I didn’t wait to love them when they could walk, talk, and clean up after themselves. I didn’t wait to care for them after their first report card. I loved them because they were mine, not because of how they behaved. I do my very best to love and care for my children, and our God, our Heavenly Father, is a lot better at it than me. Consider the powerful imagery of a child in the arms of a loving father. That’s you in God's arms. You can rest in His embrace, find comfort in His presence, and trust in His plans for your life. He delights in you, cherishes you, and the bible says He rejoices over you with singing.
Now today, ask yourself, “How am I relating to God?”. When you start to frame your relationship status with God as a child, you will start talking to Him differently, trusting His plan more consistently, and embracing His affection more sincerely. Let this love of the father change your identity and it will also change your life.