Many people assume the answer is simple: everyone.
After all, doesn’t God create every human being?
But the Bible gives a much more specific — and much more powerful — answer. Scripture makes a surprising distinction between God’s creation and God’s family.
Understanding that difference changes how we see salvation, identity, and our relationship with God.
But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
John 1: 12-13(ESV)
We are ALL God’s children, right? In one sense, yes—we are all created by Him and invited into relationship with Him. But not everyone accepts the invitation.
A better way to say it: All are invited to become God’s children, but not all choose to be.
And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears,
1 John 2:28 (ESV)
we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.
After reading this verse—and looking at the illustration on the right—a few historic figures come to mind who turned toward darkness instead of God’s light.
Examples from Scripture: Turning Toward Darkness
Adam and Eve hid from God in the garden after eating the forbidden fruit. Ashamed of their sin, they chose hiding over facing Him.
They were the first to fall to the temptations of the devil and since then, the prince of darkness has never stopped trying to interfere in our relationship with God.
The Pharisees separated themselves with their distinctive clothes and pride. They taught about the coming Messiah yet failed to recognize Him— even blaspheming the Holy Spirit by crediting Jesus’ miracles to the devil. Their pride kept them in darkness.
Then there was Judas!
He walked with Jesus, heard His words firsthand, and witnessed His miracles—yet he betrayed the Savior for 30 pieces of silver. Overwhelmed by shame, he took his own life.
Contrast that with Peter. He denied Jesus three times, but he repented, sought forgiveness, and returned to the light. We can be confident that when Peter faced God, he did so “with confidence and not ashamed.”
Where do we stand?
These stories lead to an important question: Will we face God with confidence, or will we hide in the darkness?
It depends on how we answer these self-examination questions:
- Are we in a personal relationship with God, or is He a distant deity—or do we reject Him entirely?
- Do we truly believe Jesus’ work on the cross forgave our sins, or do we still carry guilt for things already forgiven?
- Do we live as children of God, looking toward heaven, or do we turn away for the world’s attractions like fortune, fame, and power?
- Have we pursued God’s will through the guidance of His Holy Spirit, or followed our own desires?
- Are we focused on His eternal promises, or on temporary worldly pleasures?
- In short: Do we accept our inheritance as adopted children of God and live it out daily?
For those of us who are turned toward God, who choose to receive His light, we know we can be confident without shame when we see Him face to face.
Avoiding the Snares of the Devil
But what about those still struggling in darkness? How do we escape the traps that ensnared Adam & Eve, the Pharisees, and Judas? How do we turn away from the darkness of this world and towards the eternal light of God’s world?
The apostle John identifies the devil’s three main tools:
For all that is in the world
1 John 2:16 (ESV)
—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—
is not from the Father but is from the world.
- Desires of our flesh (like Adam and Eve’s craving for the fruit)
- Desires of our eyes (like Judas’ love of money)
- Pride of life (like the Pharisees’ love of status)
We can’t avoid these snares in our own strength. The good news? We don’t have to.
But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.
1 John 2:20 (ESV)
Jesus not only saved us through the cross—He also anointed us with the Holy Spirit. Accept His sacrifice, then simply pray one of the most powerful prayers: “Holy Spirit, help me.”
The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God…
Romans 8:16 (ESV)
Walking in Light vs. Darkness
Non-Believers
- Choose to walk in their flesh, which is like walking in the darkness and they will continue to stumble.
Believers
- Choose to walk in faith under the guidance of the Holy Spirit in the light of God’s presence.
The Holy Spirit gives us discernment to spot deception and avoid sin’s pull. Children of God don’t habitually practice sin; they may stumble, but—like Peter—they repent and return to the light.
No one born of God makes a practice of sinning,
1 John 3:9 (ESV)
for God’s seed abides in him;
and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God.
Children of the dark are in the practice of sinning. Many probably even enjoy it, at least for a season or so. Children of God do not habitually practice sin but they have sinful setbacks. Rather than dwell in sin, they recover from their misstep like the Apostle Peter and turn back towards His light. By the way, Peter had his share of setbacks.
Yes, God’s children make mistakes but God has provided a provision for our mistakes. It is His grace and mercy purchased by the works of His Son on the cross.
John 3:16 (ESV) tells us everything we need to know … “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Everything you want to know about how to live in this world
– Gabriel
and prepare for the next is in the Bible.
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