If you’re a country music fan, you might remember a song by Alan Jackson titled, “We’re All God’s Children.” The lyrics of the song mention people of different religions, opinions, and skin color. The theme of the song is found in the refrain: “We’re all God’s children, we’re all God’s children, we’re all God’s children. Why can’t we be one big happy family?”
I understand the sentiment, and appreciate the desire for living in peace with our fellow humans. As the song’s lyrics suggest, differences of political views or conflicting opinions shouldn’t lead to fighting with each other. But to say we’re all God’s children is misleading, and reveals a critical misunderstanding of biblical truth.
People who use the phrase “we’re all God’s children” are confusing what it means to be one of God’s creatures with what it means to be one of God’s children. There is a distinct and important difference with eternal implications you should know about.
We are all, by nature, part of God’s creation. Every human is created in God’s image and has intrinsic value. Being made in God’s image sets humans apart from the rest of God’s creation. We are, indeed, unique creatures! We are not, however, God’s children by nature. God loves us and wants us to be part of His family—fellow heirs with Christ who will inherit eternal life in heaven. But the only way that happens is by ‘adoption’ through trusting Christ for our salvation. Only those who are 'in Christ' through faith are called sons and daughters of God (Galatians 3:26). Here are some passages of Scripture that should help make this clear:
He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God (John 1:10-12). If we were already God’s children, there would be no need to become a child of God.
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons (Galatians 4:4-5). We are adopted into God’s family through the redemptive work of Jesus, the Son of God.
He predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will (Ephesians 1:5). We are not born into God’s family. We must be “born again” (John 3:3).
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” (Romans 8:14-15)
CHILD OF GOD, OR CHILD OF THE DEVIL?
More evidence that not everyone is a child of God can be found in the following passages of Scripture:
No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother (1 John 3:9-10).
Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires… (John 8:42-44).
God wants everyone to be saved and become part of his eternal family, but not all will be. The phrase “we’re all God’s children” gives the impression that we’re all on the road to heaven, regardless of our spiritual condition. This mistaken belief is a dangerous detour away from the truth of the gospel message that we’re saved by grace through faith in Christ alone. It gives false hope to those who are lost, and leads them further away from the hope of eternal life, toward eternal destruction apart from the presence of God (2 Thessalonians 1:9).
If you're a Christian, the next time you hear someone say “we’re all God’s children,” take the time to ask them what they mean. Find out why they believe it’s true. You may discover that person has never heard the gospel, or has misunderstood what the Bible actually teaches about being a child of God. You might have an opportunity to help direct them away from the dangerous detour they’re on and guide them towards the One who offers us adoption into God’s family.
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