Topical Encyclopedia
The term "Children of the Lord" is a significant title used in the Bible to describe the relationship between believers and God. This designation emphasizes the intimate and familial bond that exists between God and His followers, highlighting themes of love, care, inheritance, and identity.
Biblical FoundationThe concept of believers as "Children of the Lord" is rooted in both the Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testament, the Israelites are often referred to as God's children, underscoring their special status as His chosen people.
Deuteronomy 14:1 states, "You are the children of the LORD your God." This verse establishes the Israelites' identity as belonging to God, set apart for His purposes.
In the New Testament, the title is expanded to include all who believe in Jesus Christ, transcending ethnic and cultural boundaries.
John 1:12 declares, "But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God." This passage highlights the transformative power of faith in Christ, granting believers the status of God's children.
Spiritual ImplicationsBeing called "Children of the Lord" carries profound spiritual implications. It signifies a new identity in Christ, where believers are no longer defined by their past or worldly status but by their relationship with God. This identity is marked by a sense of belonging and acceptance, as seen in
Romans 8:16-17 : "The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ."
This inheritance includes the promise of eternal life and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, who guides and empowers believers to live according to God's will. As children of the Lord, believers are called to reflect His character and love, as
Ephesians 5:1 exhorts, "Be imitators of God, therefore, as beloved children."
Moral and Ethical ResponsibilitiesThe title also implies moral and ethical responsibilities. As children of the Lord, believers are expected to live in a manner worthy of their calling. This includes pursuing holiness, righteousness, and love. 1
John 3:1-2 reminds believers of their identity and calling: "See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed."
Communal AspectThe title "Children of the Lord" also emphasizes the communal aspect of the Christian faith. Believers are part of a larger family, the body of Christ, where they are called to love and support one another. This communal identity is reflected in
Galatians 3:26-28 : "You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
In summary, the title "Children of the Lord" encapsulates the profound relationship between God and His people, characterized by love, identity, inheritance, and responsibility. It calls believers to live in a way that honors their Father and reflects His glory to the world.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Deuteronomy 14:1You are the children of the LORD your God: you shall not cut yourselves, nor make any baldness between your eyes for the dead.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
They Shall be Called the Children of God
... Positively: They have titles of honour ... The wicked have them by providence; the saints
by promise ... He blesses them in their souls, bodies, names, estate, posterity ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/19 they shall be called.htm
"He is the Rock, his Work is Perfect. For all his Ways are ...
... It was enough of old with the saints, "It is the Lord, let him do what ... is that his
majesty is pleased to clothe himself with so many titles and names for us ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon iii he is the.htm
Wisdom and Revelation.
... 2. THE APPEAL. The names and titles of God are ... Adopting, then, the second of these
interpretations, the saints belong to God and are precious in His sight. ...
/.../thomas/the prayers of st paul/vii wisdom and revelation.htm
The Kingly Priesthood of the Saints
... everything you like; but know that those titles will not ... thick jungle of India shall
see the saints of God ... t expect kings to put down their names for trifles. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the kingly priesthood of the.htm
The Lord's Supper
... What names and titles in Scripture are ... Take, eat.' This expression of eating denotes
four things; (1) The near mystic union between Christ and his saints. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/4 5 the lords supper.htm
Then Returning to the Words of Peter, "God Made Him Lord and ...
... of Him Who had been before the eyes of men, since the saints agree with ... n. 6): but
he here probably means no more than that names or titles which properly ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 4 then returning to.htm
Acts XI
... special reference to character, they were called saints. ... of mystic Babylon, and the
swelling titles by which ... the obligations implied in the names disciple and ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xi.htm
Psalm LXXXIII.
... the congregation of God's people in the titles of many ... nation or people of God, or
His saints, who know ... For by such names are most suitably figured the enemies ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxxiii.htm
The Beloved Pastor's Plea for Unity
... them by endearing names, by the highest titles which they ... Mark, Luke, and John, by
their right names, but must ... By grace alone could the saints in Rome call God ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 39 1893/the beloved pastors plea for.htm
Hymns and Spiritual Songs
... 1. 9 10. Hymn 1:138. Saints in the hands of Christ, John 10. 28 29. ... Hymn 1:147. The
names and titles of Christ, from several scriptures. Hymn 1:148. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watts/hymns and spiritual songs/
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