Not everyone is a child of God

Matt Barber, a brilliant writer and journalist did an excellent job in one of his recent articles explaining who are God’s children and who is not. For those who believe in a supreme being might find the enclosed article interesting.

So here is the article......enjoy:

You’ve heard it said that “We are all God’s children.” This rings flowery and nice.

It’s an insidious lie.

Indeed, God both created and loves – in a way most unfathomable – everyone who ever lived. He wove us together in our mother’s womb and numbered our every hair. But God the Father has only one begotten Son. The rest of us, in order to become one of God’s children, must be adopted – in, by and through – the One Who is the Son: Jesus Christ. Those who are not adopted are not children of God. Christ and Christ alone is “the way, the truth and the life.”

Indeed, to become a child of God, we must ask God – through Christ – to adopt us. We mustn’t just believe upon Him – for “Even the demons believe that” (see James 2:19) – but, rather, we must also accept Him. We must follow Jesus, the one true God, as our only God. “But to all who believed him and accepted him (Jesus), he gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12)

Don’t believe? Don’t accept? You have no right to become a child of God.

And that’s unholy hell.

I’m not here to question God. I can neither fully understand nor explain why what He says is so. I can only convey to you that He unmistakably, unequivocally and without stuttering, says it is so.

And so it is so.

“‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts,neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)

The postmodern concept of religious pluralism is likewise an insidious lie. It’s a relativist tool of deception, dreamed up the greatest of all deceivers. It’s a false religion – jazzed-up paganism – propagated by the rulers, the authorities, the powers of this dark world and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (see Ephesians 6:12).

Merriam Webster defines “pluralism” – in the context of which I refer – as “a theory that there are more than one or more than two kinds of ultimate reality.”

The goal of pluralist philosophy is to muddy the waters and divert mankind from the “narrow gate” that leads to eternal salvation (Jesus), while, at the same time, herding them along the “broad road” to eternal damnation (anything and everything that denies the singular and exclusive deity of Christ – or that rejects the certainty that He alone can save us from hell).

Pluralism is a non-starter. It’s inherently self-defeating, contradictory and, frankly, just plain stupid. Pick your “ism” – be it progressivism, socialism, Hinduism, Buddhism, communism, Marxism, atheism, et al. – and central to each you will find the leavening lie of pluralism.

Each of the world’s major religions fundamentally contradicts the other. They cannot all be true. Either one is true or none is true.

Jesus said, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.” (Matthew 7:13) Again, Jesus alone is that “narrow gate.”

Here’s the thing. You can deny Christ until the day you die. But after that, you will deny Him no more. Hate Him you may still, but deny Him you will not. Philippians 2:10-11 assures us, “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

John 3:36 warns: “Whoever believes in the Son (Jesus) has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.”

Christ is both tolerant and intolerant – utterly exclusive and wholly inclusive. He said in no uncertain terms: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

Universalists, atheists, pluralists and other followers of false god’s and religions, take note: Jesus, rather conspicuously, did not say: “No one comes to the Father except through me, the Buddha, Muhammad, Ganesh or L. Ron Hubbard.”

The narrow gate to heaven is utterly exclusive.

Yet Christ also promised us this: “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” (Matthew 11:28-29)

Romans 10:13 is even more direct: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

The narrow gate to heaven is wholly inclusive.

If religious pluralism is true, which it cannot be, then Jesus is a liar. And if Jesus is a liar, then Carl Sagan was right when he said, “The Cosmos is all that is or was or ever will be.”

Worm food.

Thank God Jesus is not a liar.

Still, some apostate, celebrity mega-church pastors like Rob Bell have become wealthy calling Jesus a liar. They teach the heretical doctrine of “universal salvation,” which suggests that, ultimately, everyone ends up in heaven – even those who rejected Christ while here on earth.
Bell and others like him claim that “we’re all God’s children.”

This is a pseudo-Christian form of religious pluralism that may well condemn untold millions – to include celebrity mega-church pastors like Rob Bell – to the unimaginable horror of eternal separation from God. (Rob, brother, I pray that you’ll repent posthaste and ask Christ’s forgiveness for both your heresy and for leading your flock to slaughter. He’ll forgive you, just like he’s forgiven me for all the crap I’ve pulled over the years.)

And the Truth will set you free.

Romans 8:1-2 promises: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.”

By logical extension, the converse is true. There is condemnation for those who are not in Christ Jesus. Until and unless you believe upon, accept and follow Jesus – you remain imprisoned under the law of sin and death.

Unconvinced? You don’t have to believe to quietly pray this simple prayer to yourself: “Jesus, if you’re out there, please reveal yourself to me. If you’re real, help thou my unbelief.”

If I’m right – if Jesus is not a liar and He is who He says He is – then you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by inquiring further.

If you don’t inquire further, you have everything to lose.

reply to post by Jesuslives4u

If you don’t inquire further, you have everything to lose.

I am willing to lose everything. I don't want eternal life. I want to reincarnate, and if I can't do that, then give me annihilation.

AfterInfinity
reply to post by Jesuslives4u

 

If you don’t inquire further, you have everything to lose.

I am willing to lose everything. I don't want eternal life. I want to reincarnate, and if I can't do that, then give me annihilation.

WOW......really?

You prefer annihilation over eternal life?

Can you explain why?

reply to post by Jesuslives4u

Don’t believe? Don’t accept? You have no right to become a child of God.

What a nasty thing to say!

I don't need to become a child of God, I have always been and will always be a child of God, and no amount of religious rhetoric can change that.

Malachi 2 10 Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us? Why do we deal treacherously with one another By profaning the covenant of the fathers?

The bible contradicts itself a bit. Of course, the people who put the bible together are going to say that the only people who are 'children of God' are those who believe like they do. I don't have any direct words of Jesus to say one way or the other .... but here is a smattering of 'all are children of God' and 'only some are children of God' ... according to the bible.

But the question is ... did the bible get it right or is it just rhetoric???

Here it says only some people are 'children of God' -

ROM 8:14 "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
ROM 8:15 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."
One must have the Spirit of Adoption and be lead to be called a child of God.

And here it says only some people are 'children of God' -
John 1:12 "But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."

And here is some more of the adoption thing - Galatians 4:4-6 - But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, "Abba, Father."

But here it looks like everyone is a 'child of God' -

1 John 2:28 And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him. See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

Here it says everyone are 'children of God' -
Malachi 2 10 Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us? Why do we deal treacherously with one another By profaning the covenant of the fathers?

Matthew 5:9 says the PEACEMAKERS are 'children of God' -
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

And this quote could be saying that everyone is a child of god even if they dont' recognize it in themselves ... or it could be saying that only those who believe in God are children of God but that those who don't believe don't recognize others as such. 1 John 3:1-2 - See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don't recognize that we are God's children because they don't know him. Dear friends, we are already God's children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is.

ETA ... again .... that's what the bible says ... but that doesn't mean it's the complete truth. And I couldn't find anywhere anything Jesus said on this. I may have missed it ... but I couldn't find it.

Not everyone is a child of God

The more accurate title for this thread would be ...
'Not everyone is a child of God according to some interpretations of the bible'.

AfterInfinity
reply to post by Jesuslives4u

 

If you don’t inquire further, you have everything to lose.

I am willing to lose everything. I don't want eternal life. I want to reincarnate, and if I can't do that, then give me annihilation.

Please take a look at this youtube video and tell me if you believe this to be true or false. I will tell you why I asked after you make your comment about it.

Thanks

EDIT: Not sure what happened with youtube clip so instead I added the link.

www.youtube.com...

reply to post by windword

Yes brill answer i agree...

At least you didn't complete your point with the odd statement that unsaved people are children of a certain former angel of light. But who else, then? Our souls are just... hanging in nothingness with no origin, I guess?

OP is dogmatic silliness, the same dogmatic silliness that's kept mankind divided since the priest class began using religion against religion as mechanisms to control mankind and justify war for the "elites."

The "narrow path" Jesus talks about is the path of self-refinement, which is the same thing Lao-Tzu talks about when saying "conquering yourself is true strength." The path to heaven--or whatever you'd like to call it--is a path of consistent moral and spiritual improvement.

The quote where Jesus says the only way to heaven is "through" him means the only way to heaven is to refine yourself until you become LIKE him--morally pure, through and through. In your words and actions you're aiming TOWARDS his standard, ergo you're moving towards and eventually through him to spiritual purity... and that can be done by following the practices of any religion, or even none at all.

Fact: There isn't just one "right" religion. Every religion preaches the same essential doctrine--strive always to be a better person, and stop being a dick.

Don't believe me? Go read about a hundred near-death experiences.

Guess what, it's not just Jesus-heads who are being welcomed into heavenly realms by God/Source/Light/Whatever.

therealguyfawkes
OP is dogmatic silliness, the same dogmatic silliness that's kept mankind divided since the priest class began using religion against religion as control mechanisms to control mankind and justify war for the "elites."

The "narrow path" Jesus talks about is the path of self-refinement, which is the same thing Lao-Tzu talks about when saying "conquering yourself is true strength." The path to heaven--or whatever you'd like to call it--is a path of consistent moral and spiritual improvement.

The quote where Jesus says the only way to heaven is "through" him means the only way to heaven is to refine yourself until you become LIKE him--morally pure, through and through. In your words and actions you're aiming TOWARDS his standard, ergo you're moving towards and eventually through him to spiritual purity... and that can be done by following the practices of any religion, or even none at all.

Fact: There isn't just one "right" religion. Every religion preaches the same essential doctrine--strive always to be a better person, and stop being a dick.

Don't believe me? Go read about a hundred near-death experiences.

Guess what, it's not just Jesus-heads who are being welcomed into heavenly realms by God/Source/Light/Whatever.

edit on 10-2-2014 by therealguyfawkes because: (no reason given)

Do you mean like this NDE?

www.youtube.com...

reply to post by Jesuslives4u

That's so damn stupid. But considering the source .... not unexpected.

reply to post by Jesuslives4u


Of all the cool things about religion, it's the judging of others to elevate yourself, that must be the coolest.
That, and getting saved at the last minute.

I don't see why they keep hanging on to the losers, like the story of Noah, and get rid of the interesting stuff like polygamy.

reply to post by Jesuslives4u


Except if you're a Jew.

In which case, the sequel is a load of bollocks.

Or a muslim, in which case, both books are folly.

Or if you're a hindu, or a bhuddist etc etc etc.

I'll tell you one thing. If God really is this all powerful being that made us all and gave us all these stupid sinful emotions then I'm pretty sure he doesn't have an ego and really couldn't give a # which book we follow, as long as we are worthy of him.

To suggest a Ho'oponopono Hawaiian who lives his life perfectly and helps and loves everyone around him is less likely to go to heaven than a Catholic paedophile who says 'sorry' at the last moment isn't only ridiculous, it's arrogant.

Keep the faith x

reply to post by Jesuslives4u


Friend, don't get me wrong. I've got no problem with your boy Jesus. As a matter of fact, I love JC--just like Buddha, Lao Tzu, and every sage/saint/enlightening being that's ever or will ever exist. I'm a fan of ANYONE and ANYTHING who teaches people to stop being dicks to one another.

The problem?

Most hardcore, preaching, holier-than-thou Catholics and Christians are some of the biggest dicks I know.

therealguyfawkes
reply to post by Jesuslives4u

 

Friend, don't get me wrong. I've got no problem with your boy Jesus. As a matter of fact, I love JC--just like Buddha, Lao Tzu, and every sage/saint/enlightening being that's ever or will ever exist. I'm a fan of ANYONE and ANYTHING who teaches people to stop being dicks to one another.

The problem?

Most hardcore, preaching, holier-than-thou Catholics and Christians are some of the biggest dicks I know.

I understand your point and enjoyed how you worded your comments. Direct, to the point with some flare!

Did you by any chance view the youtube post I included in a previous post? Look for the link above.

Peace

Jesuslives4u

AfterInfinity
reply to post by Jesuslives4u

 

If you don’t inquire further, you have everything to lose.

I am willing to lose everything. I don't want eternal life. I want to reincarnate, and if I can't do that, then give me annihilation.

WOW......really?

You prefer annihilation over eternal life?

Can you explain why?

A man can run out of things to live for. There comes a point at which you're tired of saying goodbye to friends, tired of watching homes come and go, tired of waking up knowing exactly what the world holds for you and exactly how you will feel. There comes a point at which life no longer surprises you, and that's the point I wish to avoid.

Jesuslives4u

AfterInfinity
reply to post by Jesuslives4u

 

If you don’t inquire further, you have everything to lose.

I am willing to lose everything. I don't want eternal life. I want to reincarnate, and if I can't do that, then give me annihilation.

Please take a look at this youtube video and tell me if you believe this to be true or false. I will tell you why I asked after you make your comment about it.

Thanks

EDIT: Not sure what happened with youtube clip so instead I added the link.

www.youtube.com...

edit on 10-2-2014 by Jesuslives4u because: (no reason given)

I have no reason to believe that anything that girl in the video says is true. She may believe it is, but I have no reason to believe it is. She is recounting her memory of an experience that may be accredited to a number of causes not necessarily paranormal or supernatural. That is all I can say for a fact.

reply to post by Jesuslives4u


You preach division, separation, and judgment on God's behalf?

Beware of that path.

What to say?

Satan created noone. Jesus did with God, not? We were created in Gods image, noone elses.

Some have Satan as their father, though. Those are children, designed by God going the wrong path, approving what is wrong.

God doesn't consider them His children anymore, for they do not approve His way. That way, they are no more His children, in the sense they do not approve Him anymore. They are His creations yet submissive to the deceiver.

That's what the deceiver tries to achieve.

All will be gathered in the Fire. It is a bad abide.

Does that mean we don't need to pray for all people No.