John says, “See what kind of love the Father has given to us that we should be called children of God and we are.â€
Yes with all of our sins washed away, the righteousness of Jesus received, and the Gift of the Spirit given to us, we are children of God.
It is truly this identity that should be the defining identity of our lives. No we are not first and foremost democrats or republicans. We are not Sooners or Wolverines or Buckeyes. We are not Italian or German or Slovak. We are not just people with OCD, Depression, or some other mental health diagnosis. We are not just farm kids or city slickers. We are not first and foremost mothers or teachers or professionals. We are not first and foremost farmers or laborers or businessmen. No, we are not even to be defined by the name on our birth certificate. No we are not first and foremost Hoppes or Smiths or Meiers. We are children of God. That is our true identity, our most blessed identity. It is the identity given to us by our Father in the washing of the Word.
Know this:Â You are a child of God.
Adaptation from Sermon for All Saints Day, 2010.
