ESOCS Devotional 3 May 2025 – In God’s Family
MEMORY VERSE: “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:26
TEXT: GALATIANS 3:15-29
Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: Though it is only a man’s covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it. 16 Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ. 17 And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect. 18 For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
19 What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator. 20 Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, but God is one.
21 Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law. 22 But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. 24 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.
26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
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God has a beautiful family, which He has a special care for, although His common grace comes on all His creation despite the corruption of same by the fall of man into sin. Naturally, we know that every family has children and are distinct from one another. So is the family of God distinct, honourable and special. Owing to the corruption that befell the entire creation through man at the Garden of Eden, not all human beings now can be said to be the children of God.
The scriptures makes us to know that as long as this world remains there are two camps or families to which humans belong to as children. The Bible in Colossians 3:6 says, “For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience …” Therefore, there are children of disobedience that will be punished by God. Such classification makes them the children of the devil and not of God. In John 8:44 we have: “….Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” Putting all together, the children of disobedience belong to the camp or family of the devil. Therefore, we have the children of God and the children of the devil. These two families have their identities, possessions and destinations. The identity of the children of the devil is sin (disobedience to God); their possession is eternal damnation and their destination is second death in hell fire. The identity of the children of God is righteousness, their possession is eternal life and their destination is life in the heavenly Kingdom of God ruled by Lord Jesus Christ with no corruption, hatred, wickedness, pain, evil of any sort or death.
Now, concentrating on the family of God, how does one become a member? The answer is in our memory verse, which is by “faith in Christ Jesus.” Nothing Else! John 1:12 says, “But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the right [the authority, the privilege] to become children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name” (The Amplified Bible). As you believe in Jesus for a new life of righteousness on earth, you shall be born into God’s glorious family today! You are destined for greatness in Christ Jesus!
CHALLENGES
- Because Jesus Christ died for your sins on the Cross, have faith in Him for a change of family and a resultant righteous life on earth.
PRAYER POINT
- Father, I acknowledge my sins and can’t help myself, I therefore believe in Jesus Christ as my Saviour and Lord, I ask that He clothe me with His life and righteousness that I may be your
FURTHER READING: Judges19:17-30; 17:1-16; Galatians 3:1-14
ESOCS Devotional 3 May 2025
