What must I do to become a child of God?

from the old testament

• The Old Testament lays the foundation for God’s family through covenant and promises, pointing forward to the fulfillment of adoption as God’s children through faith in Christ in the New Testament. God chose Abraham and his descendants to be His people, showing that belonging to God is based on His initiative and promises (Genesis 12, 15).
• The Old Testament highlights that trusting in God and following His commands demonstrates commitment to Him (Deuteronomy 6:5; Psalm 78:7; Proverbs 3:5-6).
• The Old Testament anticipates the coming Savior who would make it possible for all people to be adopted into God’s family (Isaiah 9:6-7; Jeremiah 31:31-34).

from the new testament

• John 1:12 teaches that becoming a child of God means receiving and believing in Christ: "But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."
• Our sin condemns us to God’s judgment, but if we put our faith in Jesus Christ, we will receive eternal life (Romans 6:23). Receiving salvation in Jesus has to be done first to become God’s child.
• Romans 8:38-39 makes it clear the depth of love that God has for us. If we grew up with a poor father figure, we can know through this passage that God’s love is completely different—-in fact, it is powerful, eternal, and not able to be cut off.
• Romans 10:9 explains how to believe in Jesus and become a child of God: "if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Believing in Jesus includes accepting Him as Lord and believing He was resurrected from the dead.
• It is through faith by God’s grace that we can receive Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). We don’t have to “earn” what God gives us.
• Other passages in Scripture make it clear that all who believe in Jesus by faith are children of God. Philippians 2:15 says we are to live as "children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world."
• First John 3:10 says: “By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.” We show our love for our Heavenly Father through obeying Him and treating those around us with Christ-like love.
• Thankfully, Jesus’ sacrifice made a way for all of us to be received as God’s children if we come to faith in Jesus Christ (1 John 2:1-2).
• First John 3:1 answers why God has called us His children: "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are." It is His love that has given us the opportunity to live as His children.

implications for today

Many people struggle with the idea of God being a loving Father due to their childhood experiences with difficult, absent, or abusive father figures. Yet God is unlike our parents. Human parents are imperfect and often let us down and hurt us, -but our heavenly Father is perfect, loving, and good. He has provided the opportunity for eternal life, forgiveness of sins, and new life here on earth if we will only believe in Him and become His child.

Have you become a child of God? If you have not or are uncertain, you can decide right now to place your faith in Jesus Christ. No special prayer is needed. Becoming a child of God is about accepting God's gift, not earning salvation through works. However, you can use the following prayer to tell God that you want to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior:

"Dear God, I realize I am a sinner and could never reach heaven by my own good deeds. I want to become part of your family, and you have provided a way for me to become your child. Right now I place my faith in Jesus Christ as God's Son who died for my sins and rose from the dead to give me eternal life. Please forgive me of my sins and help me to live for you. Thank you for accepting me and giving me eternal life."