CHILDREN OF GOD

Preacher:

Main Scripture: Ephesians 1:1-14

Series:

CHILDREN OF GOD

Many verses in the Bible show us this truth, that true believers are in fact children of God (John 1:11,12; 1John 2:28- 3:2). Christians have been born into God’s family. Is there anything more wonderful than to be a child of God, and to be part of the family of God that will live with God forever.

How can someone born of Adam have this honour? The Bible tells us that no one is good and righteous. We have seen in Ephesians 2 that all are dead in their sins, and in Romans we read that no one seeks after God. How then can anyone like that become a child of God?

We can only conclude that it is a sovereign work of a holy God that anyone is born again of God. Unless the holy God of heaven intervenes, there is no way any son or daughter of Adam’s race can become a child of God. See what kind of love the Father has given to us.

Verses 4 and 5 in the Amplified Bible: just as [in His love] He chose us in Christ [actually selected us for Himself as His own] before the foundation of the world, so that we would be holy [that is, consecrated, set apart for Him, purpose-driven] and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined and lovingly planned for us to be adopted to Himself as [His own] children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the kind intention and good pleasure of His will—

Today we will look at two questions to do with the doctrine of election:

WHEN DID HE CHOOSE HIS CHILDREN? We are bound by time—hours, days, weeks, months, years—and we make plans. It is not so with God. Isa 46:8-11 tells us that God is someone who declares the end from the beginning. So God is not like us, making plans that He has to alter. He is the God who never changes His mind. His purposes are always fulfilled. If you are a child of God, when were you chosen? Eph 1:4 gives us the answer—Before the foundation of the world.

Before the hills in order stood / Or earth received her frame, / From everlasting thou art God, / To endless years the same. [Isaac Watts]

Way back in eternity, God has chosen His children who will be His for all eternity. There never was such a time that you were not chosen, if indeed you are His child. Matt 25:35 says: "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. Like the hymn says, we have been “loved with everlasting love.”

HOW DID HE CHOOSE HIS CHILDREN? It is a question that troubles people. ‘Am I one of the elect children of God?’ The other question is ‘What can I do to win His favour so that He will choose me.’ Actually, this is not a correct question, but it is asked.

We all know the suspense after we have attended a job interview, or if we apply for a visa. Another example of this feeling of suspense is when sports teams are being picked, and one wonders if they are going to be picked. And if we do not get the job, or we do not make the team, we may think that it was unfair and that we deserved to be selected. But when it comes to God’s election, Romans 3:9-18 is clear that the choice God made was not by merit. There is nothing in us that would compel the thrice-holy God to choose us. This is just pure unadulterated grace—the mercy and kindness of God.

Some will say that God looks down the corridors of time and selects those whom He knows will believe. How can this be, if there is none righteous, no not one. None seeks after God. All have sinned. So this dot work, that He chooses based on future works.

So if God has already chosen His children then why do we take the gospel to everyone. Why is there the free offer of the gospel? The great commission commands us to take the gospel to all the world.

Here are some amazing verses that teach us so much about the connection between God’s choosing and our coming to Him.

 

but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. (John 10:26-29)

All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. . . No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. . . And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.” (John 6:37-40, 44, 65)

So it is simply pure unadulterated grace—not deserved—not merited. When we go out with the gospel, we go praying that God would draw His people to Himself. No one can come unless it is granted to them by the Father.

Some will say: This is not fair; it is unjust. The Bible has an answer to those who say that. What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means! For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” So then it depends not on human will or exertion,[b] but on God, who has mercy. . . But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this? (Rom 9:8-16, 20)

The children of God have been chosen by God before the foundation of the world. Out of this world of God haters and Christ rejecters, God has chosen a people for Himself. This is because of mercy, kindness, and love, and not because of anything we have done.

The call of God comes to a sinful world, and He knows that people will reject Him. “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! (Mat 23:37) Here we see that Jesus is moved to tears because of the rebellion of people. But in the great commission, we are told to go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to ALL creation. Jesus still says: ‘Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.’ (Matt 11:28) “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as[f] the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” (John 7:37). We love the free call and do not agree with the Hypercalvinists. Every day the gospel is preached to millions and many will not come. The only way they will come is when they are moved by the Spirit of God.

“Come, everyone who thirsts, / come to the waters; / and he who has no money, / come, buy and eat! / Come, buy wine and milk / without money and without price. / Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, / and your labor for that which does not satisfy? / Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, / and delight yourselves in rich food. / Incline your ear, and come to me; / hear, that your soul may live; / and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, / my steadfast, sure love for David. (Isa 55:1-3)

This is the free invitation given to all. But only those He has chosen, out of mercy and love and compassion will come and become His children. And it is a sovereign choice. Do you wonder if you are one of the elect? If you have come to Him to be saved, then you are. If you die before you accept Him, then you are obviously not one of the elect. We bow in gratitude at the foot of the cross—amazing grace that saved a wretch like me!