Most of the time when we talk about “Children of God,” we think of pre-teens, not grown people. We don’t consider that all humans are “children” to our Creator. After all, no matter how old we get in earth time, we’re all still children to Him. (emphasis mine)
In 1 John 2:1, John refers to those he’s writing to as “My little Children.” John was advanced in age by this time, and he had a strong paternal feeling for the fairly new believers. The churches of his day were just about into the second generation since the resurrection of Jesus, as 1 John was written between 95 and 110 A.D. in Ephesus. John was the only apostle to die by natural causes at an advanced age. It is obvious that there were false prophets and antichrists already at work in this world, trying to pull believers away from the true Word – Jesus. From 1 John 2 through 5, he gives detailed warnings about this.
John also gave believers the instructions for getting forgiveness for the sins they would commit. The sacrifice for all sin was made by Jesus, and any attempts to make further sacrifices would be an insult to His shed blood. It would be as if Jesus did not do enough to cover us. Instead, all who have received and accepted Jesus have the Holy Spirit in us, and to obtain forgiveness we follow 1 John 1:8-10. “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. [also see Romans 3:23]. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.”
As a final warning, in 1 John 5:10-12, he emphasizes what Jesus said in John 14:6; “Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself/herself. Whoever does not believe God has made Him a liar [not wise at all], because he/she has not believed in the testimony God has borne concerning His Son. And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.” There are no exceptions given.
As stated, we all will sin as long as we’re in these mortal human bodies, yet God stands ready to forgive all His children when asked. To be sure, this does not eliminate the possibility of being disciplined by our Heavenly Father, as given in Hebrews 12:5-8. The one sin that leads to “death” (forever in Hell), is to reject the gift that Jesus has given to all of us. For the gift to be ours, we must “open” (accept) it and claim Jesus as our Lord and Savior. John makes it clear in 1 John 2:22-23; “Who is the liar but he/she who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he/she who denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also.”
Jesus made it clear in a couple of instances that we should approach the Kingdom of Heaven with the innocence of children. Matthew 19:13-15; “Then children were brought to Him, that He might lay hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the Kingdom of Heaven’, and He laid His hands on them and went away.”
Referencing the growing instances of abusing children today, consider the Savior’s words in Matthew 18:4-6; “Whoever humbles himself/herself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me; but whoever cause one of these little ones, who believe in Me, to sin, it would be better for him/her to have a great millstone fastened around his/her neck, and be drowned in the depth of the sea.”
Fernando Ortega released a song in 1997 called “Children of the Living God.” It’s a definite praise and glory song that seems so simple, yet there is meaning that runs deep. It’s a song that is for “Children” of all ages. Consider the words:
(1) Children of the Living God, come and sing, sing out loud. Children of the Living God, sing to the Living God.
Sing of the wonders He has made; bird in flight; falling rain. Sing of the wonders He has made; sing to the Living God.
(ref) How He loves us, with great love, He who sits enthroned above; for our lives He spilled His blood; sent His Spirit like a flood. Children of the Living God, sing to the Living God.
(2) Sing of His gentle healing hands, how they found the lowliest man; sing of His gentle healing hands; sing to the Living God.
(3) Sing of the mercy that He gives; though we sin, He forgives; sing of the mercy that He gives; sing to the Living God.
(4) Sing of the morning when He comes, in the clouds, glorious Son; sing for the morning when He comes; sing to the Living God.
The mercy of God allows us forgiveness of our sins, and for us to be longing for and looking for the appearance of our Savior when He comes in the clouds to take true believers up to meet Him and be kept from the coming wrath, just as God promised.
The biggest issue present is to have Jesus as our Savior before the Trumpet of the Lord sounds, and the shout of the archangel takes place. The process to do this is so simple that one pastor has labeled it the “ABCs” of Salvation. It’s given in Romans 10:9-13. First is “A,” admit we are all sinners in need of a Savior. Then, “B,” believe Jesus died for our sins and was raised up from the tomb to conquer sin and death for all who would receive and accept His gift. Finally, “C,” Call on the name of the Lord, and you will be saved.
No mysterious initiation ceremony; no secret words to memorize and repeat; no works to gain favor; no purchase price whatsoever. The song lyric, “Jesus paid it all; all to Him I owe; sin had left a crimson stain; He made it white as snow,” is absolutely on the mark. As I stated earlier, to think we can do anything to earn/buy Jesus’ gift is an insult.
For those who reject the Son of God, their eternity will be in the Lake of Fire with Satan and all his fallen angels (demons). This is described in Revelation 20:11-15. No one who has received and accepted Jesus will be at that judgment. All who are saved will be with Him forever.
By the way, there’s no third option, and to try to accept Him after your last breath on this earth will not work.
Take control of your “forever” and ask Jesus to forgive you and be your eternal Savior. Now wouldn’t be too early as His coming for us is imminent – right at the door. It could be any day, hour, minute, second now. Proudly declare that you are one of the “Children of the Living God,” and He will in no way pass you by.
Hope to see you there when we fall at the feet of Jesus to worship Him in person at last.
Maranatha! Shalom!