The decision to become a child of God is the most important decision anyone can ever make, even above the decision of marriage and career. Paul proclaimed, “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Gal. 3:26-27). To expound upon this great truth, let us learn how one may become a child of God.
It begins with knowledge. Through preserved revelation from God in the Bible, we learn about His eternal plan of redemption, “which he purposed in Christ Jesus, our Lord” (Eph. 3:8-12). In reference to this gracious act, Paul wrote to Timothy, “…which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began” (2 Tim. 1:9). As a result, it is important for us to learn some things about God and His eternal will (John 6:44- 45). We learn what God did in order for us to become children of God: He sent His only begotten Son (John 3:16). He provides the opportunity to become children of God because of His great love, grace, and mercy. Jesus makes it possible for us to become children of God because of His great sacrifice on Calvary (Rom. 5:6-10). Not only that, we must understand the nature of sin and its repercussions in our lives. Sin separates us from the fellowship of God (Isa. 59:1-2), and it afflicts everyone (Rom. 3:23). Thus, we learn of our eternal jeopardy, and we learn what our Lord paid as a penalty for our sins (Rom. 3:24-26). All of this underscores the importance of hearing the good news of Jesus (Rom. 10:13-17), as well as that of teaching these important truths (Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16). Becoming a child of God begins with knowledge—knowledge concerning the nature and will of God, knowledge of sin and the nature of humanity, and knowledge of the good news that makes it possible to become a child of God!
Once one acquires this knowledge, he must place his trust in God by believing the evidence before him. This is the definition of “faith.” It is placing our trust in God because we believe what He says, what He has done, and what He will do for us. This trust and belief is so deep in our heart, soul, and mind that it compels us to follow Jesus and obey Him. No wonder the Hebrew writer succinctly stated, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Heb. 11:6). As we noted in the introductory paragraph, Paul pronounced that we are the children of God “by faith in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:26). Faith has always been important in developing the proper relationship with God. The apostle Paul sets forth Abraham as our example of saving faith in Romans 4, and even quoted from the Old Testament as he announced his thesis to the epistle: “The just shall live by faith” (Rom. 1:16-17; Hab. 2:4).
After one believes with all of his heart, soul, and mind concerning that which pertains to developing a relationship with God as His child, he determines to leave behind that which endangers such a relationship. This is called “repentance.” It is a remorsefulness we have when we understand what sin does to God and to our lives (2 Cor. 7:10). It compels us to change our lives—to begin a life of denying ourselves and serving Christ (Matt. 21:28-31). It is that which God earnestly desires from everyone (Acts 17:30-31; 2 Pet. 3:9).
Such an individual, who has come to the right type of knowledge, believes it with all of his heart, and is willing to repent from all of his sins, is one who will have no problem confessing such to others. He is one who understands the need to clarify his commitment (Acts 8:36-37), as well as one who is overjoyed at the chance to confess his affinity to his Lord (Rom. 10:9-10).
Finally, one becomes a child of God when he submits to the command of baptism: “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Gal. 3:27). It is that which procures us citizenship into the kingdom of God and brings about a new birth (John 3:3-5). It is that which provides remission from our sins and entrance into the church that Jesus built (Acts 2:38). It is that which signifies our relationship in the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (Rom. 6:3-6).
Therefore, a proper knowledge that leads to faith, repentance, confession, and baptism are necessary to become a child of God.