We Are Not All Children of God

<figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > I see it often on social media, “We are all children of God.” It is meant to be an inclusive statement to provide assurance that God does not discriminate, loving some of us and hating others. In our readings on Pentecost Sunday, there is a nuance that I hadn’t thought of before. We are all made in God’s image, but we are not all children of God. God is the creator of all things and therefore is the creator of all humans, but it is important to recognize when the New Testament talks of “Father” and the people as the “children of God,” the verses are talking about those who have recognized Christ as their Lord and Savior.&nbsp;In Romans 8:14-17 we hear, “All who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!” it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.”&nbsp;In John 1:12-13, “But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God,&nbsp;who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.”&nbsp;So, it is those who are led by the Spirit of God and believe in God’s name that are called God’s children. Everyone is made in God’s image, but it takes our recognition of the Holy Spirit working in our lives before we can claim to be a child and heir. It is on Pentecost each year that the Spirit comes anew to refresh us and reinforce that we are not only made in God’s image, but we truly share in our birthright with all those who believe.&nbsp;I’m still processing photos from my recent trip to Turkey and Greece with Duke Divinity School, so I don’t have a favorite yet. Walking in the footsteps of both the disciple John and apostle Paul reminded me of the inheritance that we share with them. The photo is from the tomb of St. John at St. John’s Basilica near Izmir in Turkey, near the ancient city of Ephesus. &nbsp;Blessings, my friend,Agatha&nbsp; We Are Not All Children of God Agatha Nolen Download &nbsp;