What Does it Mean to Be in the Family of God?

　　All believers are part of the family of God. Sometimes it can be confusing to decipher what it means to be part of the “family of God.” Individuals are born into blood relatives; however, being part of the family of God goes beyond blood ties. Being part of the family of God means God is your Heavenly Father and resting in that knowledge.

　　

A Wonderful Family

“This is the Family of God/Oh, we are Sons and daughters of the King” are the lyrics of The Newsboys song, “Family of God.” When a person accepts Jesus as their Savior and Lord, they become part of the family of God. God created every single person in the world; however, not all people are part of the family of God.

　　Only those who place faith in Jesus become part of God’s family. John 1:12-13 says, “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God — children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”

　　If you are a Christian, then you are a child of God and you are part of God’s family. You will never lose your place in God’s family as once a person is saved; they are always saved. Nobody can lose their salvation as salvation is a gift from God. Salvation is not based on anything we do, but rather on placing faith in Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9).

　　Unbelievers are not part of the family of God because they have not placed faith in Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. If they become a believer, then they too can become members of God’s family. Becoming a member of the family of God is a wonderful thing. There is nothing greater than being part of the family of God.

　　It is a great honor and privilege to know God as your Father. Being a member of the family of God includes knowing that you are eternally and forever loved by God Almighty. It means that you can never lose your place in His family. The concept of being part of “a family” can be foreign to many of us.

　　Broken homes, hatred between family members, or never knowing your parents can cause an individual to be skeptical of the idea of a “family.” In God’s family, there is no abandonment, hatred, or abuse. Only love, forgiveness, and grace abide within God’s family. He will never cast you out or turn you away (Isaiah 41:10).

　　Since we have God as our Father, we can freely talk to Him in prayer any time we want. God is the Holy Trinity, which is the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Three distinct Persons — One God. As children of God, we can pray to Him anytime, anywhere.

　　You do not have to use eloquent words, lengthy prayers, or rehearse your words in order for God to hear you. Jesus’ death on the cross enabled us to become children of God. If it was not for Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, we would not be children of God. This is something worth reflecting on as we owe our entire beings to God.

　　It is only by His mercy that we are privileged to spend eternity with Him. God loves us so much that He willingly sent His Son to die for us (John 3:16-17). There is no greater love than the love God has for His children.

　　Maybe your father, mother, or siblings did not treat you very well growing up. Even if our earthly families have hurt us or abandoned us, we know God never will. Psalm 27:10 tells us, “Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.” God will never forsake you. He can be fully trusted.

　　

We Are the Family of God

Every Christian in the world is part of the family of God. Whether the believer lives in China, Bangladesh, or California, they are part of the family of God. God’s family is not restricted to any culture, ethnicity, age, or gender (Galatians 3:28). Every person within the family of God is equal (Romans 2:11).

　　Likewise, each person is strongly beloved by God, and He wants all people to know Him. Once we accept Jesus as our Savior, we become eternally part of God’s family. As part of God’s family, we inherit thousands of brothers and sisters in Christ.

　　If you were born into a broken family or if you never knew your parents, rest in the knowledge that you have a Father who loves you dearly as well as millions of brothers and sisters in Christ. Every Christian you know and every Christian in the world is part of the family of God —including you!

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　　As part of the family of God, you can freely go to the throne of God and ask for His help (Hebrews 4:16). God delights in hearing your prayers and He loves to answer prayers in accordance with His Will. Our Father is a good, good Father and He always knows what is best for us.

　　Even though God does not answer all of our prayers, we can trust that He knows best. The Lord is truly working everything out for our good (Romans 8:28). God never has ulterior motives, nor does He ever harm His children. In fact, God divinely protects us in many ways that we may never even realize in this life.

　　Being a member of the family of God has eternal benefits. One of these eternal benefits is that we get to spend eternity living with God and praising Him in His glory. In the New Heaven and Earth, there will be no more pain, death, or crying (Revelation 21:4).

　　As members of the family of God, we can look forward to this day and pray for its coming. Since we are members of God’s family, we will never have to worry about being eternally separated from God in hell.

　　

What Does This Mean?

As believers in Christ, we have been given forgiveness of sins and eternal life (John 3:16-17). There is no condemnation for those of us who are in Christ Jesus as we have passed from death to life (Romans 8:1). Eternity with God will be eternal happiness, joy, and bliss. Our hearts will eternally be praising the Savior of our souls.

　　In eternity with God, we will be surrounded by other believers who are also praising the Lord with all of their hearts, minds, and souls. Maybe if you come from a broken family or if you do not know any Christians outside of yourself, you can rest in the knowledge that God is your Father, and you have millions of brothers and sisters in Christ.

　　The Lord has blessed us richly by being called His children as that is what we are (1 John 3:1-2). How exciting is that? You, me, and every other Christian is a beloved child of the King. Even if your present life feels cold, bitter, and lonely, look up to the Lord. His mercy, peace, and kindness will fill up your soul with the love that only He can provide.

　　It is a great honor to be called a child of God and to be a part of His family. No matter where you go, how you look, or how old you are, you will always be part of God’s family. All believers are children of the Good Lord God Almighty. Thank you, Lord, for giving us your love and giving us brothers and sisters in Your Name.

　　For further reading:

　　What Does it Mean to Have a Childlike Faith?

　　What Does it Mean to be a Child of God as an Adult?

　　What Does it Mean That God Is Our Abba Father?

　　What Is the Importance of Having a Spiritual Family?