Are You God's Child?

Lets examine the following verses:

NKJ Romans 8:16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.

The Koine (common) Greek word for children in the verse above is Strong's # 5043 te,knon teknon {tek'-non}. This is the same word that is used in the following scripture verse and is translated as both son(s) or children:

NKJ John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:

NKJ Matthew 21:28 " But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, 'Son, go, work today in my vineyard.'

This Greek word for children "teknon" is used to describe a newborn baby or immature son by virtue of birth. This accurately describes our condition of immaturity when we are first born again from above.

These immature children are promised an inner witness of their salvation by the Holy Spirit. This inner witness can be described as that "warm and fuzzy" feeling inside or "I know that I know that I know." The purpose of this witness is to let us know that even as newborn babies we are heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ.

Let us compare that with another Koine Greek word of the Bible:

NKJ Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

The Koine Greek word for sons in the verse above is Strong's # 5207 ui`o,j huios {hwee-os'}. This is the same word used in the following scripture verses and is translated as both son(s) or children:

NKJ Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.

NKJ Matthew 5:44 "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

This Greek word for children "huios" is used to describe a person whose conduct and actions give evidence of their relationship and resemblance to their Father's character.

Consequently, the Bible is not saying to love our enemies as a requirement to earn Salvation in Matt 5:44. However, It is saying we are to love our enemies, bless those that curse us, do good to those that hate us, and pray for those that spitefully use and persecute us so that we might make manifest to the world the character of our Heavenly Father who is Love Himself. By doing those things, that only God can do, then the world can see Him through us and they will declare that we are His children.

For example, have you ever told one of your children by birth (teknon) that they are their mother or father's child (huios) based on how they are acting? That is exactly the difference between these two Greek words. Again, the word teknon describes a relationship by birth where huios describes a relationship by character.

Consider the following verse:

NKJ Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

Which of the two Greek words are being led by the Holy Spirit?
a) teknon - child evidenced by birth (immature)
b) huios - child evidenced by character (maturing)

Correct! b) Huios, the ones that commune with God by reading the Bible, communicating with Him (which includes prayer and worship) and ministering to others and grow up. The ones who are bearing the fruits of the Holy Spirit which only grow by drawing nourishment from the vine (Jesus).

Search your own heart:

If you are not being led by the Holy Spirit then what does that say about you? Could it be that you are only a teknon?

Selah (pause and reflect on this).

Heavenly Father,

I repent of being a physical adult but a spiritual child. Thank you for your forgiveness and now please help me grow up for I desire to be continuously led by Your Holy Spirit.

Article Source: http://www.faithcycleministries.org/Articles

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