Children of God 

   “But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural generation nor my human choice nor by man’s decision but of God.” (John 1: 11 – 13) 

   All are God’s children, even those who refuse to believe are His children though they may be alienated from Him by the choices they have made.  Just as a loving parent is joyful when a wayward child returns, so too is God when one of His children who have been lost find their way home.  The parable of the prodigal son found in Luke 15: 11 – 32 wonderfully assures us of such love from our Heavenly Father.

   We are destined to be with God as His children through all eternity.  The Baltimore Catechism tells us that we were created “ to know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him in this world, and to be happy with Him forever in Heaven.”  This is our destiny; this is what God wants for all His children.

   Though we are predestined to be with Him in heaven, we are also given free will.  We can choose to reject our destiny, to reject God and heaven.  It is our choice, and sadly, many make the wrong choice.  Many accuse God of sending sinners to Hell, but it is the sinners who make the choice of Hell; God will forgive and welcome them home if they will repent and seek His forgiveness.

   We are children of God.  We have a Father in heaven who loves us and wants only what is best for us even though we may not recognize it at the time.  We are children of God; He wants us to spend eternity with Him.  It is up to us to decide; we can choose heaven or reject Him and choose hell.