Before I am a husband or a son or a brother, I am a child of God and one whom He has “predestined to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself” (Eph. 1:5). And the blood of Christ entitles me to an eternal life-long membership in this family; “for both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren” (Heb. 2:11). Let us, then, not be ashamed to be called His child.

Jesus said that unless you are converted and become like little children, you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 18:1-6). What are some characteristics of little children that we can adopt?

A child depends. Over the last several years, we have witnessed through the newscasts and papers hundreds of newborn babies abandoned and left for dead in dumpsters and alleys. These infants have no chance of survival on their own because they are completely dependent upon their caretakers for food, clothing, and attention. Without someone tenderly nursing and lovingly embracing them, a child will surely die.

Yet, we in our “maturity” seem to forget that it is in Him that we “live and move and exist” (Acts 17:28). We become so impressed by our own accomplishments and achievements that we began to think that we no longer need the God Who made all of it possible. Until we realize our helpless condition with Him, we cannot be His little children. He hears our cries in the middle of the night when no one else cares to get up and help. He carries us in His arms when we are too weak to take another step. He watches over us while we are about our day, seeing to it that our every need is met. You can depend on Him.

A child imitates. Who has not seen the commercial of the little boy helping his dad cut the grass, pushing a plastic toy lawn-mower with bubbles coming out of the top? Or how about a seven-year-old daughter who loves to put on perfume and makeup so she can be like mommy? Children will adapt to their surroundings and mimic those with whom they spend the most time. Remember parents, that goes for good habits and bad ones.

Paul said to “be imitators of God as beloved children” (Eph. 5:1). A true child of God will seek the kind of life that causes others to see that he has a lot of his Father in him. You can be holy as He is holy, merciful as He is merciful, loving as He is loving. Like Father, like Son, like son.

A child needs discipline. Easily written by a guy who doesn’t have any kids, right? Children make mistakes; they are at times defiant and disrespectful, testing their boundaries and exploring the limits of their parents’ patience. They need discipline, both preventative and corrective, to help them learn from their misconduct and weigh the options the next time a similar decision comes around. It just took one time for me to learn that I was expected to sit still during the worship services or not be able to sit at all for a week!

“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by Him; for those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whom He receives” (Heb. 12:5-6). Discipline is part of discipleship, reminding us Who is in control and reinforcing the consequences that come when we disappoint our Father. It forms and molds and shapes so we can escape the ultimate punishment—an eternity in hell.

“What children are unconsciously, that Jesus requires His disciples to be voluntarily and deliberately. They are not to be pretentious and ambitious, but meek and lowly in heart; disregarding rank and distinctions, thinking not of their place in the kingdom, but giving themselves up in simplicity to the service of the King” (Alexander Balmain Bruce). God the Father is calling all of His children to come home.