Are you a child of God?  We are all created in God’s image, yet not all belong to him.  Many claimed God was their father in the time when Jesus walked on earth, but he disagreed with them.

 

In fact Jesus’ words were rather strong!  “You belong to your father the devil,” he told those who refused to believe in him.  Their hearts were far from God.  Rather than wanting to carry out God’s desires, they were fulfilling those of the devil.

 

So, how do we know who belongs to God?  It is those who believe he came from God, according to Jesus.  Then Jesus goes on to describe three characteristics of those who believe in him.

 

The first is that we will love him.  “If God were your father, you would love me,” Jesus says.  Not only was Jesus sent by God, he and the Father are one.  At the end of these verses Jesus declares, “Before Abraham was born, I am.”  Those listening understood what this claim meant.  Jesus is God.

 

The other marks of a child of God is their willingness to hear what God is saying and keep his word.  If we love him, we will want to do what he says, and fulfil his desires.

 

Perhaps you are not sure yet if you are a child of God.  You can be!  Ask him to forgive you for living your own way, and put your trust in Jesus, his Son.  Whether you have just become a son or daughter of God, or have been one for years, let’s continue to love Jesus, listen to what he says and put it into practice.  This shows who we belong to.