This question, Are all people children of God?, has been on my mind for the past few weeks. This flame was fanned by the current sermon series being taught at the church we attend.

Because I disagreed with what the preacher was teaching, all people are children of God, and all people are adopted sons and daughters of God, I decided to do some digging in the Scriptures, they (the Bereans) received the Word (Scriptures) with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth. – Acts 17:11

Below is a brief summary of the first two weeks of the message series.

In week 1 of the series,

The preacher said that Paul wrote the letter of Ephesians to remind the Ephesian Christ-followers, and us, about their identity.

He proceeded to quote from Ephesians 1:3-6 – All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.  Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.  So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.

He proceeded by saying, “As Christ-followers our primary identity is not built on something we do, but on something that has already been done.  Through Jesus Christ, you’ve been adopted as God’s son, as God’s daughter.  YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD.”

[The message seemed ok, to this point, but further along in the message…]

The preacher said, “You are so much more than the labels that you might be wearing (some examples of labels – mom, businessman, electrician, not smart, weak, 4 eyes, etc.) you don’t have to find your identity in those things anymore.  It is possible to step away from the competition and comparing to discover the truth of who you are.  And this is that truth, YOU ARE GOD’S ADOPTED SON, YOU ARE GOD’S ADOPTED DAUGHTER.  YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD. That is your primary identity.”

[So that’s that?  I simply need to realize that there is more to me than my labels?]

In week 2 of the series,

The preacher’s message again was, “We are first and foremost children of God, members of God’s family.  I am God’s child, you are God’s child.  That is the identity that defines us.”

He then quoted Galatians 3:28 – There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus, and says, “Instead, of looking at someone as male or female, black or white, rich or poor, young or old, look at them as your brother, or your sister.”

[Sounds like a nice enough message.]

**But is it possible that the preacher is downplaying, or simply choosing to ignore ALL that the scripture is saying.**

IS THE PRONOUNCEMENT THAT ALL PEOPLE ARE GOD’S CHILDREN ACCURATE ACCORDING TO SCRIPTURE??

My response is No!!

Are ALL People Children of God???  –  (Part 2)  http://wp.me/p5nZpi-pI

Response to Reader’s Comment – Are All People Children of God???  (Part 2)   http://wp.me/p5nZpi-ro

Are ALL People Children of God???  –  (Part 3 of 3)   http://wp.me/p5nZpi-rg