Forgiveness can be a touchy subject but its necessary to discuss because we all go through situations that require us to forgive. I know I have. There is more at stake than people realize. In this study we will discuss why we must forgive, learning to forgiving others, learning to forgive ourselves, Jesus our example for forgiveness, and how forgiveness unlocks God’s forgiveness.

Forgiving Others

Forgiveness can be such a hard thing to do. In this life, you will have so many opportunities to forgive. Note I said many opportunities. As long as we are on this Earth, offenses will come. Sometimes, they are intentional, and sometimes, they are not. Sometimes they’re so small you wonder later why you got so upset and sometimes they’re unimaginably severe and everything in between. Whatever the cause or the severity of the offense God has in no uncertain terms commanded us to forgive. In our core scripture:

Mark 11:25-26 KJV, Jesus tells us:

[25] And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

[26] But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

This can be a tough pill to swallow especially if the offense is severe. Forgiveness doesn’t put the person that offended you off the hook but it releases you. I heard a saying that unforgiveness is like swallowing poison and hoping the other person will die. I know that sounds ludicrous but it’s accurate. Unforgiveness imprisones your mind. You are doomed to continue to think about the offense over and over again which only keeps the wound of the offense open and unable to heal. You keep yourself as the forever victim.

The only way to heal the emotional pain of the offense is to forgive. Now let’s discuss what forgiveness is. Forgiveness is deciding not to hold the offense against someone. My even simpler definition as a Christian is deciding to turn over the offense to God and let him work things out. It is refusing to hold on to the bitterness against someone and putting it all in Jesus hands. He is the healer. He is the only one who can heal your emotional pain.

Now that that’s established, let’s determine what forgiveness is not. Let’s first be clear forgiveness is not the same thing as trust. Forgiveness must be given freely. Trust has to be earned.

Just because you forgive someone doesn’t mean your relationship can be reconciled.

Romans 12:18 NKJV, states:

“If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.”

We are commanded by God to live in peace and reconcile with people whenever possible but sometimes reconciliation is not possible. It can be for various reasons such as that person doesn’t want reconciliation, that person is dead, being around that person would put you in danger physically or emotionally, or any other reason. Sometimes people are just toxic to you and you just have to keep your distance. I have had that happen to me on various occasions. There’s nothing wrong with that. You are not called to be friends with everyone but we are called to live in peace and forgive everyone who offends us.

So how do you put this forgiveness lifestyle into practice. As I stated before, put it all in the hands of Jesus. Everytime it comes to your mind you confess with your mouth that you have forgiven that person of that offense. Confess that you put it in the hands of Jesus. Keep that confession everytime you think about it. Over time you will think of it less and less until you really won’t think about it again and if you do you won’t feel the pain associated with the offense.

This practice can be summarize in James 4:7 KJV, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Submit means submit everything to God. In this application it means submit the offense, the offender, and your feelings about the situation to God. Resist means to refuse to think about it, refuse to hold the offense against the offender, and refuse to talk about it anymore. When we refuse to play the devil’s games he will eventually flee. Notice I said eventually. That joker don’t give up easily. You have to be persistent and determined to keep at it. But what freedom it is to keep putting things in God’s hands. It is such a relief to get it off your shoulders and on God’s. Praise God!!!

Forgiving Yourself

Now we know how to forgive others, let’s talk about forgiving yourself. Forgiving others is just one step of forgiveness. Often times we realize we need to forgive ourselves whether it was our fault or not. We as humans have a tendency to feel responsible for the things that happen to us.

It can be really hard to forgive ourselves, in fact forgiving ourselves can be much harder than forgiving others even when it’s not our fault. The devil lies to us telling us it’s our fault. You know his play book – you shouldn’t said, you shouldn’t been there, you shouldn’t been wearing that, or maybe it happened because you did or said this or that, etc. The devil is a lier and the cause of every offense. No one can be held responsible for anyone else’s behavior no matter what we may or may not have done. The people who hurt you are alone responsible for their actions. Just like we release the offenders to God we need to release our selves with the same type of confession. Everytime those thoughts come to mind you confess I put that in the hands of Jesus. I am released from those feelings. I am forgiven. And my personal favorite, There is therefore no more condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but by the Spirit (which is Romans 8:1). I put it all in the hands of Jesus. I receive my healing of my mind in Jesus name. Just keep on confessing these things until you don’t think about anymore.

This confession also works when you feel bad about something you did that was your fault. You make sure you keep telling the devil you are forgiven by the blood of Jesus. Again resist the devil and he will flee.

I know this works because I have had to do this for a number of reasons. Remember Satan is the accuser. Revaluation 12:10 tells us that he stands before God day and night accusing the brotheren. But God has not left us defenseles. He has given us his Word to fight the devil.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 KJV, says:

[3] For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

[4] (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

[5] Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

We must guard our thoughts and cast down all negative, self-defeating thoughts and bring them under the obedience of God’s Word.

Jesus Our Example of Forgiveness

When we know who we are in Christ and we know how much God has forgiven us for, we realize we have no right not to forgive others. If Jesus can allow himself to be tortured and killed as a sacrifice for our sins. How much more can we forgive each other. Even when Jesus was dying on the cross he said out loud for all to hear “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34

Jesus is our example, if he can forgive those who were killing him what excuse do we have. Just think about what our Savior went through. He just wasn’t shot in the head with a modern day gun, run through with a sword, or even beheaded. His death was not quick and easy. He was stripped of his dignity. He wasn’t even allowed to keep his clothes on. He died a death of a common criminal. It was a long and painful process. The sinless lamb of God laid down his great power to die for our sins. He allowed himself to be killed by his own creation. And in the process of it all he forgave.

We are commanded by God to forgive like Jesus. God is not commanding us to do something that Jesus didn’t do when he was on Earth.

Hebrews 4:15 KJV, says:
“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”

Jesus lived and died as a human. He knows what it’s like to suffer, to be disappointed by people, and to be misunderstood and persecuted. He is our example to pattern our lives.

Unlocking God’s Forgiveness

In our beginning scriptures, Mark 11:25-26, Jesus clearly states,

[25] And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

[26] But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

This is a direct, clear statement from Jesus himself. He gives us a strong warning that if we don’t forgive others our Father in Heaven won’t forgive us of our sins and not only that but our prayers become ineffective. Unforgiveness puts a wedge between us and God.

It nullifies the forgiveness purchased by the blood of Jesus in our lives. The forgiveness of sin Jesus purchased for us through his blood cannot operate in us when we refuse to forgive. In fact, unforgiveness is a form of pride. The bible says God resist the proud, and gives grace to the humble. James 4:6

I don’t know about you but no offense is worth separating me from my Savior and being condemned to an eternity in hell.

God gives us grace when we humble ourselves to forgive and walk in love. Yes, as I discussed earlier that sometimes we can’t be reconciled with the offender but we are commanded to walk in love meaning if we see them in need we are obligated to lend a helping hand not only that, if we see them in passing we need to be cordial. You can’t tell me that this is not an exercise of swallowing your pride because I have had to do it.

The Apostle Paul teaches us in Romans 12:19-21 KJV,

[19] Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

[20] Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

[21] Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

If we as Christians are to be examples of Jesus in the Earth we must walk humbly with God in order for his love to operate through us to other people. God is the judge. Only he is qualified to take vengeance. We are to use the love from God that flows through us to overcome evil.

God is not commanding us to do something we can’t do. He is always there to help. We just have to ask and keep seeking him. Forgiveness is sometimes a process. But God will help you through it if you keep seeking him and laying it all at his feet. It’s called dying to self so Jesus can operate in us.

In Philippians 4:13 KJV, the Apostle Paul states:

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

That certainly applies to all of us when it comes to forgiveness we can do all things through Christ because it is Christ who strengthens us.

Forgiveness can be challenging but it’s not impossible with God’s help. In the end it will set you free.

Deborah K. Givens, Admin

The subject of this blog is our identity according to God.

Jeremiah 1:5 KJV, says “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.”

In this blog I will delve deeper into what this verse means and how it is tied to our identity in God.

This subject is very personal to me because this is something I have really struggled with throughout my life. Self-esteem was not instilled in me by my parents, and I suffered a lot of rejection. My dad was a disciplinarian and did not know how to show his love to his family. As a result, he dwelt with me harshly. Whatever he went through in his life, he never got over it, and my mom was such a sweet and loving person, but she suffered severely from clinical depression. How many of you know that if you struggle for your own self-esteem, you can’t instill that in someone else. You can’t give what you don’t have. My parents couldn’t give me what they didn’t have. I had to learn how to let things go. Forgive, give it to God, and move on.

You see Satan over played his hand in my life because when grew older I started the process of seeking God and reading the Bible. I wanted answers. I needed and wanted the healing only God could do. I was suffering from a serious identity crisis.

As I searched the scriptures and listened to many teachings, I started finding out who I am according to God.

Which leads me back to the scripture I shared with you Jeremiah 1:5 KJV,

[5] Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

It is one of my favorite scriptures to go to when I’m feeling down.

This verse is powerful. Just think about it. Before God formed us he knew us. He thought about how he wanted to make us. He thought about what we would look like. He thought about what talents he would give us. He gave everyone a purpose before we were born. How amazing is that to know you’re not just here by accident. Your parents may not have been expecting you but God put purpose on your life rather your parents meant to conceive you or not. We are all fearfully and wonderfully made by God as stated in Psalm 139:4.

In this blog we will see how our identity is in God by studying:

• How God created us,
• How we became the righteous of God,
• God’s purpose for our lives, and
• Staying focused on God.

How God Created Us

To find out how we were created we have to go back to the beginning to Genesis 1:26-27 KJV,

[26] And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

[27] So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

Note verse 26 says let us make man in our image. We know that us means the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In the first chapter of the Gospel of John, he tells us that Jesus was the Word and the Word became flesh. All things were made by him and without out him nothing was made.

So God created man in his image. We all as Christians know that but what does that really mean. We don’t know what God looks like but we do know that God is a spirit.

Genesis 2:7 KJV, says “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”

I believe that when God breathed life into Adam he put a piece of his spirit into Adam to give him life. In that way God reproduced himself. The bible does not plainly state that but I believe we can derive that from the scriptures. God made man in his own image. Just like with natural conception there must be a mother and a father. Each parent contributes their DNA to conceive a child. God is a spirit. The Apostle John teaches us that in John 4:24. In order for us to be in his likeness and become a living soul he had to give us a piece of his spirit. Wow! Can you imagine that God wanted a family so bad that he reproduced himself by giving us a piece of his spirit to give us life. We have the DNA of the Almighty God. This makes mankind the greatest creation God ever made.

Psalm 8:4-6 KJV, says:

[4] What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

[5] For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.

[6] Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:

The Passion Translation really breaks down these scriptures, it says:

Psalm 8:4-7 TPT

[4] Compared to all this cosmic glory, why would you bother with puny, mortal man or be infatuated with Adam’s sons?

[5] Yet what honor you have given to men, created only a little lower than Elohim, crowned like kings and queens with glory and magnificence.

[6] You have delegated to them mastery over all you have made, making everything subservient to their authority, placing earth itself under the feet of your image-bearers.

[7] All the created order and every living thing of the earth, sky, and sea- the wildest beasts and all the sea creatures- everything is in submission to Adam’s sons.

Notice the Passion Translation uses the word Elohim in verse 5 which is the Hebrew name for God meaning the living God. This translation actuality says we were created a little lower than God.

Before the fall Adam and Eve did not have and identity crisis. They didn’t know anything different than being made in God’s image. They didn’t have any insecurities or doubts about who they were.

Psalms 139:13-18 describes how God fearfully and wonderfully made us. The Passion Translation really gives a wonderful description, it states:

Psalm 139:13-18 TPT
[13] You formed my innermost being, shaping my delicate inside and my intricate outside, and wove them all together in my mother’s womb.

[14] I thank you, God, for making me so mysteriously complex! Everything you do is marvelously breathtaking. It simply amazes me to think about it! How thoroughly you know me, Lord!

[15] You even formed every bone in my body when you created me in the secret place, carefully, skillfully shaping me from nothing to something.

[16] You saw who you created me to be before I became me! Before I’d ever seen the light of day, the number of days you planned for me were already recorded in your book.

[17-18] Every single moment you are thinking of me! How precious and wonderful to consider that you cherish me constantly in your every thought! O God, your desires toward me are more than the grains of sand on every shore! When I awake each morning, you’re still with me.

This passage is a wonderful and beautiful description of how God made us. It’s amazing how God carefully and lovingly forms us in our mother’s womb.

The bible makes it completely clear that mankind is God’s special creation. We didn’t evolve from monkeys or apes. God made us deliberately, consciously with intent. Our identity is in him. Only God has the right to tell us who we are because he made us in his image.

How God Made us His Righteousness

We lost the truth of our identity after the fall of man. The fall of man caused us to fear and be insecure about ourselves. It is our sin nature that tells us that we are not worthy or adequate. In this day and time there is so much that can reinforce these feelings. Social media is a big offender if you let it. There is so much opportunity to compare ourselves with each other and feel that others are so much better than we are. Aren’t you glad God doesn’t view us like that. In fact, God considers us to be the righteous of God through Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:21 KJV, says “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

So what does that mean to be the righteous of God and what does that have to do with our identity?

The KJV Life Application Study Bible explains it like this:

“5:21 When we trust in Christ, we make a wonderful exchange: He takes all our sin upon himself and makes us right with God. He bore the punishment for our sins on our behalf (see Romans 3:25). God poured all our sin on Christ at his crucifixion, and he poured all of Christ’s righteousness into us at our conversion. This is what Christians mean by “Christ’s atonement for sin.” Normally, bartering works only when two people exchange goods of relatively equal value. But through this eternal transaction, God offers to trade his righteousness for our sin—something of immeasurable worth for something completely destructive. How grateful we should be for his kindness to us.”

God thinks so much of us he made a way through Jesus to give us his righteousness. It doesn’t matter who you are or what you have done this is available for everyone who will make Jesus the Lord over their life. God would not have done that unless he thought we were very valuable. That should make you very excited.

God’s Purpose for Us

In our original text Jeremiah 1:5 KJV, God told Jerimiah that he ordained him a prophet unto the nations. This teaches us that God gives everyone a purpose before they are born. God gives us the talents and everything we need to accomplish his purpose in us.

The Apostle Paul teaches us in Ephesians 2:10 KJV:

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

I love the way the Passion Translation states it.

Ephesians 2:10 TPT

“We have become his poetry, a re-created people that will fulfill the destiny he has given each of us, for we are joined to Jesus, the Anointed One. Even before we were born, God planned in advance our destiny and the good works we would do to fulfill it!”

The KJV Life Application Study Bible gives a wonderful explanation for this verse.

“2:10 We are God’s masterpiece (work of art, workmanship). He alone masterminds our salvation. He works powerfully and creatively in us. He uses us as his canvas. If God considers us his masterpiece, we dare not treat ourselves or others with disrespect or as inferior work.”

Wow! I think that is so powerful. We do not have the right to treat ourselves as inferior or unworthy of God’s love and forgiveness.

Most of us will not be commissioned by God to be a prophet or even work in what we Christians call the five fold ministry but we all are called to do something. It’s everyone’s job to live a life pleasing to God. God cannot promote you if you can’t do the basics such as walking in love and forgiving each other.

It all boils down to that God wants to fellowship with us above everything. He has created us with love, intent, and purpose. As long as we continue to seek him we don’t have to worry about his purpose being fulfilled in us. The Apostle Paul teaches us in Philippians 1:6 KJVS,

“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:”

As long as you continue seek God and continue to mature in him, he will continue to work in you.

It is so comforting to me to know that my identity is in God and not in the world.

Staying Focused on God

Now we know where our identity comes from the real work begins. We have to stay focused on God and his Word. This is not always easy. There are so many distractions with family, friends, work, and media. It’s so easy to lose focus on who we are in God and start feeling down on yourselves. It’s a constant fight.

I had a dream during the time I was preparing this study. I was living in a nice big house by myself. Over time I realized someone was living in the house with me. I asked them to leave but they refused. Over time I noticed there were more people living in the house with me. The house was just crowded with uninvited people. I got feed up and said if you don’t leave I’m calling my lawyer. Of course the next day I thought that was just what we call a pizza dream but I got to thinking why did I say I was calling a lawyer and not the police. Then the thought came to me that Jesus is my lawyer. Doesn’t the Bible say that Jesus is our great High Priest and that he continely makes intercession for us? Yes, it does you can read about it in the book of Hebrews.

This dream is a wonderful representation of how unwanted thoughts come to live in our minds. I got to thinking maybe the house represented my hopes and dreams for my life and the people represented all the negative thoughts that kepted me down.

Then I realized where the imagery of the dream came from. I couldn’t help from laughing. I was watching TV when my husband came home for work. I was watching something on the Science Channel. I really wasn’t watching it because I was working on something on my phone. He said you got any Voyager. Voyager was a Star Trek series that aired in the 90s. Of course I got aggravated because I won’t paying attention to the TV and I didn’t want to get all wrapped up with anything. But I looked through the DVR and chose an episode. In the episode I chose one of the characters was losing her identity. She was overtaken by thousands of very different personalities because of a virus planted in a piece of technology. The engineers worked to shut the device down and another crew mate worked to help her fight the other personalities in order to find hers and restore her identity. He had the ability to get into her mind a see all people threatening to steal her identity. He was able to help fight them to help her restore her identity. I didn’t get into much detail because you wouldn’t understand unless you are a Trek fan but I thought it was funny how God can use anything to speak to you.

My whole point of sharing this story is that it is great analogy to how the enemy, the devil works. He tries to get in our minds to tell us his lies. You are not good enough. You are such a failure. You will not achieve your dreams. We all have to fight these lies that come to us in our mind.

We just can’t pray our self-esteem issues away. Yes God has the power to remove them instantly but I believe he generally does it gradually as you study his Word and nurture your relationship with him. We are not alone and helpless just like that character had someone helping her God is there and he has given us the ability and the weapons to fight with.

We all have to monitor our thoughts. The way we think is very important. The bible says in Proverbs 23:7 NKJV, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he…”

In 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 KJV, the Apostle Paul teaches how to fight. He says:

[3] For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

[4] (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

[5] Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

The biggest thing we have to master is the war in our minds. We are so conditioned to think negative thoughts and the devil plays into that big time but it’s up to us to take back control by using God’s word. God has given us the weapon, it’s up to us to use it. You have to get in the Word, learn and meditate on the scriptures, and speak them over yourself. Everytime you find yourself thinking a self-defeating thoughts you quote scripture to bring your thoughts back in alignment with God’s word.

In Philippians 4:8 NKJV, the Apostle Paul teaches us what to think. He says:

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy- meditate on these things.

You are who God says you are. You are God’s special creation, you are the righteous of God through Christ Jesus, and God gave you a purpose before you were born. Keep your focus on him. Your identity is in him.

Deborah K. Givens, Admin

The idea of God being a father is not an easy concept for everyone. For me, it wasn’t even a positive concept because I didn’t have a loving relationship with my natural biological father. My father didn’t know how to talk to me to teach me. He dwelt with me harshly. He didn’t build me up, and I never felt like he loved me. Because of how I grew up, it took a long time (many years) for me to grasp that God is a loving God. Not someone just looking down, ready to pounce on me when I messed up. Over time, with reading God’s Word and through my own personal walk with God, did I realize that he is a loving God and Father. His correction is done gently in love. I learned I didn’t have to fear him like I did my natural father. This blog is broken down into three sections:

1) Establishing God has adopted us as his children.

2) The requirement to becoming God’s child.

3) God is a good God.

Point #1 – Establishing God has adopted us as his children

In Romans 8:15-16 KJV, the Apostle Paul teaches us that we are the children of God. It states:

[15] For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

[16] The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

So let’s break that passage down. The first part of Romans 8:15 teaches us that God has not given us a spirit of fear. Our sin nature causes us to fear. Adam and Eve did not experience fear until after they sinned. Genesis 3:7-11 KJV is the first recording of mankind being afraid.

[7] And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.

[8] And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden.

[9] And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?

[10] And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

[11] And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? This passage teaches us where fear came from and it wasn’t from God.

It was not God’s will for us to experience fear. He did not make us to fear. That sin of disobedience separated mankind from God causing us to fear. Sin causes mankind to be in the bondage to fear. 2 Timothy 1:7 KJV, tells us the spirit God has given us, it says:

[7] For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

As we continue this study we will see that God sent Jesus to deliver us from the bondage of fear.

The second part of Romans 8 verse 15 states “We have received a spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” Galatians 4:4-5 KJVS tells us how we received that adoption. It states:

[4] But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

[5] To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

Notice it says God sent his son who we know as Jesus to redeem us so we might receive the adoption of sons. God adopted us through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. Jesus who knew no sin became sin in order to pay for our sins so we could be reconciled to God. Without Jesus’ sacrifice we would not be able to become God’s children.

Romans 8:16 states, “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:” Okay. So what does that mean. The Apostle Paul teaches us in Galatians 4:6-7 KJVS,

[6] And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

[7] Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

This passage explains that the Spirit of God lives in his children giving us the ability to cry out to God our Father. We are no longer considered servants but a child and an heir of God through Christ. I looked this passage up in my KJV Life Application Study Bible. I thought it was a perfect illustration of what it means to be adopted by God. It states:

“4:5-7 Under Roman law, an adopted son was guaranteed all legal rights to his father’s property, even if he was formerly a slave. He was not a second-class son; he was equal to all other sons, biological or adopted, in his father’s family. As adopted children of God, we share with Jesus all rights to God’s resources. As God’s heirs, we can claim what he has provided for us—our full identity as his children (see Romans 8:15-17).”

Which brings us right back to our text. If pagan people can treat their adopted children as their own with all the legal rights as their biological children, how much more will God treat us as his sons and daughters. How much more does God have for us. Romans 8:17 KJV, states that “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” Image the love God has for to make us his heir. 1 Corinthians 2:9 KJV states “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” That should make you really excited that we carry the full benefits of being a child of God. The bible clearly establishes that God is our father and we are his children.

Point #2 – The requirement to becoming God’s child.

Let’s be clear we do not become a child of God until we become saved and make Jesus the Lord over our lives. I like the way the Amplified Bible Classic translation words Romans 10:9.

[9] …if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Note the verse says you must confess Jesus is Lord. That doesn’t mean you just acknowledge he is Lord. Just acknowledging his kingship is not enough. You must make him Lord over your life. You must commit to being under his lordship. Only then will you become a child of God. A great illustration of this is me acknowledging someone of another country as the President, King, or Queen. Let’s say for example I acknowledge Queen Elizabeth as Queen of England. Me simply acknowledging that fact will not get me the same rights and privileges of someone in that country because I am not a citizen. It works the same way with God. You have to make yourself a citizen of his kingdom before you can become his child with all the rights and privileges it comes with. The Apostle Paul teaches in 2 Corinthians 6:16-18 KJV,

[16] And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

[17] Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

[18] And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. God’s Spirit lives inside of us when we become saved.

We must live right and walk with God and learn his ways if we want to be his children.

Point #3 – God is a good Father.

God will never abandon us. He is not an absentee father. He is always there for us. He will never forget us and leave us on our own. God said in Isaiah 49:15-16 NKJV

[15] Can a woman forget her nursing child, And not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, Yet I will not forget you.

[16] See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands;…

Verse 10 in Psalms 27 really helped me when my mother died. I love the way the Passion Translation states it. “My father and mother abandoned me. I’m like an orphan! But you took me in and made me yours.”

God’s love is so amazing! God has mercy on us. He knows we will make mistakes but he is quick to forgive us when we repent and turn back to him. The Psalmist tells us in Psalm 103:13-14 KJV,

[13] Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.

[14] For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. None of us are perfect. But God is a faithful and loving God and father.

He is patient with us. 1 John 1:9 KJVS tells us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” God doesn’t just pounce on us when we make a mistake. He forgives us when we repent and he corrects us with love. Proverbs 3:12 KJV states, “For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.”

God loves us. 1 John 4:16 KJVS And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. I love the way the Passion Translation states this verse. 1 John 4:16 TPT – Passion “We have come into an intimate experience with God’s love, and we trust in the love he has for us. God is love! Those who are living in love are living in God, and God lives through them.”

1 John 4:18 KJV, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” The Passion Translation states it like this: 1 John 4:18 TPT “Love never brings fear, for fear is always related to punishment. But love’s perfection drives the fear of punishment far from our hearts. Whoever walks constantly afraid of punishment has not reached love’s perfection.”

When we are saved and walk in our salvation on daily basis pursing a relationship with God and his ways, we should not fear punishment from God. For God has promised in Isaiah 43:25 KJV, “I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.” Note God said for his sake not ours. He loves so much and wants so badly to have a relationship with us that he blots out our sins when we come to him and repent. What a loving Father! Psalm 103:12 KJV, “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” Hebrews 10:17 KJV, “And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” Romans 8:37-39 KJV,

[37] Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

[38] For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

[39] Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

God has everything we need. It’s up to the individual person to decide what God means to them. He is a loving Father who cares deeply about his children. He cares about ever aspect of our lives. It’s up to us to build and nurture our relationship with him. He’s always there waiting on us. How encouraging to know we have a loving Father in Heaven!!!

Deborah K. Givens, Admin