In building our relationship with God, just as we need to understand who God is, we also need to understand who we are to Him. In understanding how much He loves us and how important we are to Him; we draw closer to Him. Here are some of the characteristics showing who we are to God.

Children and Heirs

The Bible tells us that if we accept Him and believe in His name, He will give us the right to become His children. We are born again of God (John 1:12; 1 John 3:1). We have been adopted as the children of God, making us His heirs alongside Jesus (Romans 8:15-17). Adoption is a great act of love. It means choosing someone that is not your family, to become your own, to share everything with them, to be able to love them selflessly.  It’s important to consider why God would make a way for redemption for a wicked people like us when he can just start over. The reason is our God is merciful and has forgiven us. And He has not just provided redemption but also making us His own children. We are no longer slaves to sin; we are sons of God (Galatians 4:1-7). The God of all gods, who created us from the dust, has chosen to forgive our trespasses and make us His heirs and children. What a privilege.

Being a child of God is the best gift we can ever get but living in the world as His child will likely be difficult. Isaiah speaks of God’s people inheriting a double portion of everlasting joy (Isaiah 61). But Paul, in Romans, tells us that as heirs if we suffer with Christ, so too will we be glorified with Him. Paul says that suffering for the gospel is nothing compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us (Romans 8: 17-18). This suffering refers to the sacrifices we make to be able to do God’s work and to share the gospel. Giving up our physical comforts for others, to show them God’s goodness and grace is not easy but necessary.

Predestined to be Saved

We were predestined by God to be His Own (Ephesians 1:5). Long before we even existed, God knew our entire lives and every choice we would make. Yet still, He chose us to be His children. Even knowing how sinful we would be, He still chose us before we existed. It is because of His salvation that we have been freed from sin and death (Romans 8:2). For many of us, if we know the future, we would not be as forgiving as God. God’s love for us surpasses even our very existence. This is true unconditional love, for He knows our every thought and yet still makes a way for us to repent. He still calls us to repentance, no matter how great our sin. What love is this, and can we learn to love like this?

One with Christ

The Bible tells us that when we are saved, we are united with Him in the Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:17). As we have accepted Christ as our Lord and saviour, and we believe in His name, we were united with Him in death and resurrection (Romans 6:5-10). Just as He died, we have died to sin, and just as He was raised from the dead, we too have been resurrected. We have been born again and freed from sin and eternal destruction. What a great privilege it is to be one with the great creator who is the ruler of all things. Because we are one with Christ, we are reminded that we need to live life knowing that He is always with us. We need to stay away from sin and anything that draws us away from Christ. We are not our own, we belong to Christ who paid the price for us (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

Created in His Image

Genesis 1:27 (and Genesis 5:3) tells us that God created man in His image and likeness. An example to help us understand and appreciate this concept is when we have children. Children are made from us and so they inherit some of our qualities. Without even learning it, some children display characteristics of their parents. Then if we are made in the image of God we can be like Him. We can demonstrate the same capacity to love and forgive, to be patient and kind, and to extend grace and mercy to those who may not deserve it. Unfortunately, given choice, we have rebelled against Him and we now appear unlike Him. But when we are saved and draw nearer to Him as we spend time with Him and in His Word, we can begin to look more and more like our Father (Colossians 3:10)

A Royal Priesthood

We are chosen to be a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9). In the old testament, before Christ came, a priest was the one selected by God to approach Him on behalf of the people and vice versa. But when Christ came, He became the perfect and last sacrifice for all sin. Through Christ, each of us now can enter the Holy of holies and approach God just like the priest. We can speak with Him and hear from Him directly. We can intercede for ourselves and others. We can build a relationship with Him. We are His royal priesthood.

Temple of God

When mankind fell by sin, we were separated from God. We needed a priest to communicate with God for us because of our sinful nature. We could not be in God’s presence. After Christ came and paid for our sins, we became the temple of the Most High God. We became the temple of the Holy Spirit, where He dwells with us always. Therefore, we are called to honour God with our bodies (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). To be Holy and set apart for Him. To be clean vessels where He can dwell. So, as we go about our day, know that He is with you. Include Him and make Him a part of everything that you do.

Instruments of God

In Acts 9:15 God said that Paul was chosen as His instrument to carry His name before the Gentiles. Similarly, we are called to share the gospel and our testimonies of how He has brought us from darkness into the light (1 Peter 2:9-19). We are called to be God’s instruments in this world to reach others. God desires for none to perish but that all should be saved. Therefore, this should be our desire, as well. We, His children, are expected to represent Him and testify of His goodness to the unsaved. We are the instruments of God to carry His name before others. We are the living testimonies of God’s goodness. So be reminded to be the light to others.  

These are just a few of the key ideas which shows who God says we are. I’m sure more can be found in the Bible. Feel free to point out more in the comments below. Thanks for reading.

All photos by Kyle