Are We Really All God's Children?

Pope Francis is currently on a five-day visit in the Philippines, and months before this anticipated event, the government and the Catholic church have been preparing non-stop for the pope's coming. Last year, the Catholic church had chosen a song that will be the official theme song for this much-awaited event entitled "We Are All God's Children" - written and sung by a famous Filipino singer named Jamie Rivera who played the role of 'Kim' in the successful West End musical 'Miss Saigon' in London. She is also known as the 'Inspirational Diva' in the Philippines because she mostly sings songs that carry inspiring messages, and this is the reason why religious organizations especially Catholics have fondness for her.

(READ: Why we don't consider Catholics to be Christians - by Pulpit & Pen)

The question now is, are we really all God's children just as the song says? Most unbelievers and Bible illiterate Christians alike would say that this declaration is actually true: we are all God's children. We all know that everything around us, including all of humanity was created by God, and if He is our Father, then there is no doubt in our mind that we are all His children, right? But what does the Bible really say about this?

In the Bible, unbelievers were never referred to as children of God. In fact, before we were saved, we "were by nature the children of wrath", says in Ephesians 2:1-3, And you has he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past you walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience:Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 

Before we were saved, we were a friend of the world, therefore an enemy of God, in James 4:4 we read, You adulterers and adulteresses, know you not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. Even Jesus addressed those who do not believe in him as the sons of the devil in John 8:42-47, You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and stayed not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

We only become God's children when we are saved through our relationship with Jesus Christ, and are adopted into God's family, Romans 8:14-17, For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but you have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. In Galatians 3:26 we read, For you are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. John 1:12 would further confirm that, "for as many as received him (Jesus), to them he gave the power to become the children of God."

It is indeed gratifying to know that we are all children of God as what we hear from songs - even from a famous gay comedian in the Philippines who would announce on national tv that (practicing) homosexuals and all sinners are children of God too because He created us all and only wanted the best for us - to the thunderous applause of the audience. Music to one's ears but the Bible says otherwise.

Sadly, that's the real state of man when he has no Christ in his life. That's why God gave His only begotten Son Jesus as a sacrifice for a sinful world so that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16) - that's the good news. But whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he does not believe in God's one and only Son (John 3:18) - and that's the bad news.

You would say, "I also believe in Jesus", but ain't  the devil also believes and trembles (James 2:19)? Believing by Bible definition, constitutes surrendering one's life to the lordship of Jesus Christ and turning back from your sins, and striving to live in holiness by the help of the Holy Spirit - that makes one a child of God. Do not be deceived! Remember that neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortionists, shall inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9).

(READ: Why I Am Not Roman Catholic - by Tim Challies)