God’s Children

The different Characters of God's Children.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him  should not perish but have everlasting life.

John 3:16 sets out the main criteria for becoming a child of God. "Whoever believes in Him" is the main criteria. Do you believe in Him. If you do then you will not perish, but you shall have everlasting life. If you believe in Him, you would have already asked Him into your life and you are a Child of His.

Children of the world have different characteristics, which do change according to time. Us children of the Lord are no different in the way that we behave and the way that our characteristics change from time to time.

The Good Child.

The good child is the child that everyone wants to be theirs. This is the child that listens to every word that the parent speaks and obeys every single word and instruction to the "T". This child is never in trouble and generally shines out from above the rest of the children. This child seems to suceed in almost anything that they do. Other parents are envious of your child and wish that this child was their child. Other children are mostly nasty to this child, calling them names and acting in a manner towards them that can only really be defined as being  jealous, even if they will not admit it.

In the lord's kingdom, I know that this is you that I am referring to. Well Done sweet child.

The Normal Child.

The normal or average child is that child that normally obeys and listens to the parent but somehow does not always get things right. The child wants to be like their sister or brother above, but does not seem to get it right. This child is not outright disobedient, but is often easily misled and so falls into trouble.

There are many of these children in the Kingdom of God. I know that you already know from your heart that most of your brothers and sisters are like this. Of course, you fit into the first category of the good child.

The Rebellious Child.

Uh Oh. This is the child that every parent dreads to name their own. This is usually when the mother turns to the father and says "Go and see what your child has done". No one wants to admit ownership to this child. The child is always in trouble. This is the child that causes the school's headmaster to get to know your telephone number out the top of his head. When you get that phone call from him, you try to deny that the child is yours, but the headmaster tells you that he has the child's records in front of him, and they reflect that the child does belong to you.

This is the child that takes all your time and patience. This child will test and try you. They will want to push you to the limits to see just how much you actually do love them. They are always in trouble. They will do anything to prove that they are right and that you, the parent, is wrong.

We have many of these children in the kingdom of God. The only difference is that when the headmaster phones, the Lord Proudly stands up and says, "He is My Child, His name is already on My records". When the headmaster wants to inflict punishment, The Lord stands up again and says, "No, The punishment has already been received. Christ Jesus already received the lashings on behalf of my child. My child is free and shall not be punished again."

Although everyone, including the Father in heaven, wants to be able to say that they have the good child, the truth is that there are different types of children. The fact that one is the good child and the other the rebellious child, does not remove the fact that they are indeed all His children and that their names are in the birth register called the "Lamb's Book Of Life". God does not disown His Children. Once your name is written in the Lamb's book of life, it is there forever. It may have a little note next to the entry that says "Currently in rebellion - Prodigal son - But Still Mine! Waiting eagerly for his return." (Luke 15:13 to 32)

Do not judge your brothers and sisters who may not be as good as you are, but know that Jesus loves them just as much as He loves you and His love covers all their sins. They will return to being the good child in time. Pray for them that they may return, and when you see them on the street, greet and treat them like the long lost brother or sister. Do not ignore or disown them, for they have always been and will always be your brother or sister, no matter how much they stray and rebel. Remember that deep inside, the rebellious child is hurting and is seeking just the one and same thing that you are, and that is to know that the Father does love them, no matter what.

God Bless.