By Pastor Wayne Sibrava
\nFor The Pennysaver<\/p>\n
As I prepare sermons, Bible studies, and even read the Bible to encourage myself, I keep thinking about the importance of staying true to God\u2019s Word, which I received on December 5, 1982, the day I was ordained. When it comes to wisdom, some folks might trust what
\npoliticians say, others might be influenced by Hollywood, and still others might rely on their own
\nthoughts and opinions, all while the Word of God fades into the background.<\/p>\n
So, when we ask, \u201cAre We All God’s Children?\u201d What does the Bible say? In John 1, the Apostle begins with some important truths about Jesus and then finally he answers the question clearly and specifically. Consider a few thoughts from the Apostle John.<\/p>\n
Jesus is not created; He always existed and became a man: John 1:1,14 (NLT) 1 In the beginning, the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. 14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and
\nfaithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father\u2019s one and only Son.
\nJesus is the creator of all things: John 1:3 (NLT) 3 God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him.<\/p>\n
Jesus came into this world to His own people: John 1:11 (ESV) 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. John clearly identifies who are God\u2019s children. In John 1:12 (NLT), he says, \u201c<\/p>\n
But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.\u201d It might surprise some that John doesn\u2019t say everyone is God\u2019s child; in fact, he specifically mentions that not everyone is God\u2019s child, but only those who believe and accept His Son.
\nSo, who exactly qualifies as a child of God? The Bible tells us that a child of God is someone who: a) acknowledges their sinfulness, b) believes that Jesus died, was buried, and rose again, and c) confesses that Jesus is Lord.<\/p>\n
When someone does these things, they become a child of God, and it\u2019s a free gift from God. I\u2019m always hoping that everyone who reads these articles will become a child of God, as John 3:16 (NLT) says, \u201cFor this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By Pastor Wayne Sibrava For The Pennysaver As I prepare sermons, Bible studies, and even read the Bible to encourage myself, I keep thinking about…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":110839,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-110911","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-editorial"],"yoast_head":"\n