Wherever that teaching comes from, it is not the Bible. There are numerous parameters put on who can consider themselves a child of God. First, you must be saved. You must be a believer.
(Galatians 3:26 KJV) For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.Then we get to the level of obedience. Are you following the steps that God has laid out for you?
(Romans 8:14 KJV) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.Although God did cause unbelievers to do His will, such as Nebuchadnezzar and Pharaoh, generally speaking the Holy Spirit only leads those who have been converted.
Then we have the narrowest qualification of all, the demand for holiness.
(2 Corinthians 6:17-18 KJV) Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.Nowhere in the Bible do we see this modern, self-esteem driven, diversity training crafted, multicultural definition of being a child of God. Don’t delude yourself.
The Bible teaches adoption and “new” birth, not universalism. Anyone can join the family. All are invited, but membership is not automatic.
Does this understanding exclude people? No and yes. No, because it is clearly stated,
(John 3:16 KJV) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.Remember that verse and the “whosoever”? All are invited.
Yes, it excludes some. You have to get on board to ride the bus. It is a simple law of society. We have events at school where they provide free shuttle buses. I always drive. I prefer to be in control of my destiny, but a school event is not an eternal matter. I can’t complain because they say I am not on the bus. I am not. It was my choice. I was invited. I declined.
All human beings are not children of God. Some have another father.
(John 8:44 KJV) Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.If your father is not God, then your father is the devil. Seems pretty simple to me.
Would you like to join my family?
homo unius libri
Have to agree with every word you wrote. We have to choose.
ReplyDeleteThat's why I don't like what is called "ecumenicalism." We should be able to co-operate without watering down our beliefs. Too much "tolerance" is simply condoning sin.
ReplyDeleteThank you Phillip. It is too bad that so many people choose to live in disobedience.
ReplyDeleteGeorges, when I went to school tolerance was being patient with that which you did not like or approve of. Now they are teaching that it means to accept and approve. Another example of watering down truth.
Grace and peace.