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======Children of God - What does it Mean? ...======
Thursday, Sept 26, 2013. Why does the bible use the image of a "new birth"
for coming to faith? Why does it use the image of "a child" for our
relationship to God? At the same time, it gives us a whole bunch of
commands and recommendations. Can we understand and sort this out?
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**Kids of the Most High ...**
Let us contrast the image of a child to what the bible is not using as image
for our relationship to God. It is not using the image of someone who is
strong. It is not using the image of someone who is rich. It is not using the
image of someone who is capable. It is not using the image of someone who
by technique, training or strength of his will manages to satisfy the commands.
God wants us to behave in a good way. But it is not that we could reach him
by this type of behaviour. We cannot enter the kingdom of heaven by achievement.
That is a key point. It is a crucial point. And it is made very clear in
various parts of the biblical books. If you do not receive the kingdom of God
like a child, you will not enter it!
Why is it so crucial to be like a child? The main point here is that goal of what
we want to reach. It is a relationship of trust and reliability, of truth and
love, of an open and pure heart. We cannot reach this type of relationship by
achievement. We cannot reach it by command. We cannot reach it by any type of
strength of will or by training or by any technique. It is just not possible, if
we try, we will remain outside!
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**Be a child ...**
**
There is no other way to come to God than by faith. This is why the Abraham Story
is so important and is in the center of the New Testament as well. Abraham believed
God, and that was counted as justice for him.
Here, we reach a second important point. God himself is providing justice. Kids
are not too concerned about that. But still, justice is needed to come to a pure God who
hates any type of injustice. The main message of the New Testament is that
justice is given "in Christ" and "by Christ", and that the door to heaven is open
to come like a child. You do not need to bring anything, just accept Christ and
what he has done for you. And then let your heart be purified, let go of anything
which hinders you to come closer to God.
It is a fantastic perspective of life, to be a child of God. It is a great encouragement and perspective, to come to God and trust him. He has done everything we need, we do not need to bring much. We can come, and we are invited to open our heart for him:
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon4 his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9, 6)
(Roland Potthast)
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