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“See what great love the Father has given us that we should be called God’s children—and we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it didn’t know him (1 John 3:1, CSB).”

Over 40 times in scripture, followers of God are referred to as “children”. In Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Job, Ecclesiastes, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Joel, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Romans, Ephesians, Philippians, 1 John, some 43 times followers of God are called children.

Are you ready for this, grown folks? No where in scripture are you ever called an adult of God. From Genesis through Revelation you are referred to as a child of God/children of God…never an adult. Why does this matter? Why devote a 450 word weekly devotion to this simple concept? Because of this: Adults are set in their ways. Adults don’t want to listen to something they don’t like. Adults do what they want to do with their own money or with their own credit cards. Adults don’t easily surrender. Adults want the attention, the credit, the glory for themselves. Adults want titles and status. NO where in scripture are we called “adults of God”. No where. Why is this important? It’s important because you are what’s holding yourself back from growing in God. Everywhere in scripture you are called and referred to as a “child of God”. You can fool the preacher, you can fool the elderly at church, you can fool the folks around you… but you can’t fool God. He knows your thoughts. He knows the true you. Those who destroy churches, who are selfish, who cause fights and problems are typically adults. Children listen. Children trust. Children respectfully do what they’re asked from their loving leader. God calls us children…not adults. Stop acting like you’re in charge. Stop making church what you want it to be. Stop serving how you wish to serve. Stop giving God what’s left over and truly give Him your firsts as you trust He will always provide. Let go of yourself.

Stop.being.an.adult….return to being a child of God.

Jesus pleaded “let the little children come to him (Matthew 19:14, Luke 18:16, Mark 10:14)”. Stop being the adult who calls the shots. Humble yourself and be the child of God you were designed to be.

1 John 3:10 says, “This is how God’s children and the devil’s children become obvious. Whoever does not do what is right is not of God, especially the one who does not love his brother or sister (CSB).” Be the good needed. Become a child of God. Be all in.

Rev. J. Cameron Bailey is pastor of Kenbridge Christian Church. He can be reached at jamescameronbailey@gmail. com.