Who are you?

• But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right / authority / power / privilege to become a "Child of God". John 1:12
• For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.  Romans 8:14
• The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Romans 8:16

These verses from John and Romans are powerful affirmations of the Christian identity as children of God. They offer the Biblical basis for understanding how believers are integrated into God's family.

1. John 1:12 - highlights the transformative power of receiving Christ. The original Greek word used here, "ἐξουσίαν" (exousian), can be translated as "right," "authority," "power," or "privilege." This emphasizes the profound change in status for those who accept Jesus: from being separated to being granted the divine right to be called children of God. This status is not just a title; it confers the authority and liberty inherent in being part of God’s family.

2. Romans 8:14 - identifies a key characteristic of those who are children of God: they are led by the Spirit of God. This is not just about passive belief but active guidance by the Holy Spirit in daily decisions and actions. Being led by the Spirit indicates a life that is responsive to God’s direction and presence, marking the believer as part of God's family.

3. Romans 8:16 - Here, Paul speaks of the intimate reassurance that the Holy Spirit provides to believers. The Spirit Himself affirms the believer's identity as God's child, which is a deep spiritual experience of assurance that transcends external proof. This internal testimony is crucial for personal faith and identity, confirming the believer’s status in a way that is both personal and profound.

Together, these verses affirm the standing of believers as children of God and outline the dynamics of this relationship: it’s received through faith in Christ, evidenced by following the Holy Spirit’s leading, and confirmed by the Spirit’s testimony within us. This understanding can be a central theme in understanding your relationship with God, as it encapsulates the transition from knowing about God to experiencing His reality and guidance in your life.

The New Testament provides several passages reinforcing the concept of being a Child of God. The idea of being "Born Again" and evidencing believers as children of God. Here are some significant scriptures that further explore these themes:

1. John 3:3-7  Jesus Himself introduces the concept of being "born again" in His conversation with Nicodemus. He explains that no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again, emphasizing the necessity of being born of water and the Spirit. This spiritual rebirth is distinct from physical birth and is essential for entering God’s Kingdom.

2. 1 Peter 1:23  Peter talks about being born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. This passage highlights the role of God’s word as a living force that brings about spiritual rebirth, transforming believers into new creations.

3. Galatians 3:26-27  Paul explains that through faith in Christ Jesus, all believers are children of God. He elaborates that those who have been baptized into Christ have clothed themselves with Christ, signifying their new identity and status as God’s children.

4. 1 John 3:1-2  John marvels at the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God—and that is what we are. This passage not only affirms the identity of believers as children of God but also reflects on the profound nature of divine love that makes this relationship possible.

5. 1 John 5:1  John states that everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God. This highlights belief in Jesus as the Christ as the essential criterion for being considered born of God, linking doctrinal affirmation with spiritual rebirth.

6. Ephesians 1:13-14  In this passage, Paul speaks about believers being marked with the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession. The presence of the Spirit is a marker of divine ownership and a child’s status in God’s family.

These scriptures collectively illustrate the multifaceted biblical understanding of being born again and the assurance of being a child of God, which involves spiritual rebirth, faith in Christ, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and transformation through God’s word. These foundational truths can be powerful points of reference in understanding your journey as a "Child of the King."