A Child of God

A Child of God

Eileen Renders

   This is a topic where we as Catholics have heard the term “He is, or she is a child of God.” While we attempt to resist sin, follow the teachings of our faith, and one day be welcomed into heaven, are we children of God? Tom Nash of Catholic Answers, and I quote; “In a strict sense any baptized Christian is a child of God and thus a member of his Church (Catechism of the Catholic Church/CCC 1265-71, 1997. For through baptism we become “partakers of the divine nature” (2 Pet. 1;4). The baptized members of a “chosen race….God’s own people (1 Pet. 2:9; cf, 1 Cor. 12-12ff,; Rom. 12-4-5). And thus, each believer has a guardian angel (CCC.336; cf. Mt. 18:10). Catholic Answers goes on to include; In a wider sense, because everyone is made in God’s image and likeness (cf. Gen. 1:27-28) and God desires that all human beings be saved (Pet. 3:9;jn. 3:17-17), all human persons can be said to be children of God. And yet we can’t fall into indifference. On the salvation of non-Catholics, see CCC846-48.

   In a strict sense moving forward, any baptized Christian is a child of God. For through baptism, we become “partakers of the divine nature.”  “The term refers to all who believe in Christ and strive to do God’s will.” Dr. Scott Hahn explains that being a child of God means having the same nature as our parents and sharing similar characteristics. The Catholic Church’s good Shepherd is Jesus Christ, and other shepherds (priests, deacons, and bishops) are instruments for bringing His children back to Him. The Gentiles are also coheirs and partners in the promise through the Gospel.

   Although the above information is true and clear, a complete understanding might also include that as children of God through our baptism, and Christ’s death on the Cross to save us from sin, there is a condition upon each of us as a requirement for one-day occupying space in our Father’s Home in heaven. God provided a way for us to be free of the original sin we were born with through Baptism. Jesus came to Earth and died on the Cross to save us from sin, and instituted the Sacraments of the Holy Eucharist, Marriage, and Reconciliation. Remaining in the state of grace because of our great love of God, we receive His abundant graces and blessings. When God said; “I go before you to prepare a place for you”, do we receive a place prepared for us by God based on our love, loyalty, and service to Him throughout our lives? It is upon us to refrain from sin, frequent the sacraments, and remain in the state of grace to remain a child of God with God’s graces and blessings at the time of our judgment after leaving this world.