Getting Started

Do you have assurance in your heart that if you died to today, you would be with the Lord in heaven? Did you know that according to the Bible, you can be 100% certain of this? You don’t have to spend your life trying to be good enough or making sure that somehow you do more good things than bad so he will let you in. The Bible tells us that “to those who believed in His [Jesus’] 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.”
When you are someone’s child, you know it; there is not a doubt that you are a part of that family. Sometimes we hear people say that “we are all children of God,” but this is not true according to the Bible. We are all creations of God, but those who are God’s children know it for very specific reasons:

• First, the Apostle Paul says we know it because we “have received the Spirit of adoption as sons by which we [joyfully] cry, ‘Abba! Father!’” and that “The Spirit Himself testifies and confirms together with our spirit [assuring us] that we are children of God.” When we have been redeemed from our sin and become God’s son or daughter we know it in our hearts. We can feel it and hear His voice inside us telling us so.
• Second, John says we know we are children of God because we stop sinning and wanting to sin. This does not mean we never sin, but it means that our heart now wants to please God our Father and not ourselves or others. Because God’s Spirit now lives within us and we are connected to Him, we start to change and act like Him. Like our human father, we now have God’s DNA inside of us, so to speak, and can’t help but begin to be like Him.
• Finally, the book of Hebrews tells us that we know we are God’s children because when we do sin or struggle with sin, He disciplines us out of love. People who are not God’s children don’t get disciplined for their sin. They may have natural consequences from it, but they don’t feel the grief or conviction of the Holy Spirit inside of them calling them to live better.

So, what about you? Can you relate by experience based on these indicators that you are a child of God? When we are God’s children, it is not only clear to us in our hearts, but we regularly experience reminders of His love and favor toward us. If you aren’t sure, you can be. Just tell God you want to be His child and to follow Jesus and ask Him to give you His Holy Spirit to help you know His love and give you the ability to live like Him. All God is waiting for is for you want to be in His family and to ask. He wants you to be confident that you are His son or daughter and an heir to all He has.
Pray
God, what an amazing gift you offer us, to be your sons and daughters. Thank you that I can have assurance that I am your child both now and forever. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Resources

• Bible
• Video: No Longer Slaves // Jonathan David & Melissa Helser // We Will Not Be Shaken Official Lyric Video

Background Information

For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading again to fear [of God’s judgment], but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons [the Spirit producing sonship] by which we [joyfully] cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself testifies and confirms together with our spirit [assuring us] that we [believers] are children of God. And if [we are His] children, [then we are His] heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His spiritual blessing and inheritance], if indeed we share in His suffering so that we may also share in His glory.
Romans 8:15–17 (Amplified Bible [AMP])

For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:26

God sent Him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that He could adopt us as His very own children. And because we are His children, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are His child, God has made you His heir.
Galatians 4:5–7

He [Jesus] came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him. 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.
John 1:11–13

But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil. Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God.
1 John 3:8–10

…and you have forgotten the divine word of encouragement which is addressed to you as sons, “My son, do not make light of the discipline of the Lord, and do not lose heart and give up when you are corrected by Him; for the Lord disciplines and corrects those whom He loves, and He punishes every son whom He receives and welcomes [to his heart].” You must submit to [correction for the purpose of] discipline; God is dealing with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?
Hebrews 12:5–7

Instructions

1. Review the rubric to make sure you understand the criteria for earning your grade.
2. Watch the video, “No Longer Slaves // Jonathan David & Melissa Helser // We Will Not Be Shaken Official Lyric Video.”
3. Navigate to the threaded discussion and respond to one or more of the following prompts:
   1. Knowing that we are God’s children makes all the difference. It means we can have confidence in God’s love and provision, like any child has in a parent. What has been your experience of being God’s child? If you have never asked to be or are not sure whether you are, what next steps do you think you can take that would help you explore this more fully?
   2. What is the difference between being a child in a family and being a servant? Compare and contrast several differences that come to mind.
   3. Select one of the scripture verses in this week’s devotional and share its meaning for you.