Are You Really God's Child?

“If you are the Son of God…”

Matthew 4:3b

I think it’s the question most every son grapples with.  Am I really my father’s son?  My dad could take scrap wood and build anything.  I can take scrap wood and make more scrap wood.  My dad could drive a nail home with two blows of the hammer.  In two blows of the hammer I could bend over any nail.  My dad could fix anything.  I can break just about anything.  Now I know that I am, but sometimes I wonder, “Am I really my father’s son?”

This is the question Satan asks Jesus in the temptation.  “The tempter came to him and said, “IF you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”  This comes right after His baptism.  Gods voice has just spoken to Jesus, “You are my Son, whom I love…”  Then Satan goes to work.  He casts doubt. If you are really God’s Son why has He allowed you to starve for 40 days? What kind of father would do that?  If you are really His Son, then tell these stones to become bread.  Then Satan took it a step farther. “I’ll prove to you that He doesn’t really love you.  Put Him to the test.”  “IF you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”  Let’s see if He catches you.  Then Satan pulls his final punch.  He makes his own promises.  The devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”  In other words, I care about you more than He does.  I won’t make you go to the cross.  Just call me your father… Bow down and worship me… and I will give you everything.”

That question is at the heart of every temptation you and I face.  “Are you really a child of God?”  es.  “If God really cares about you, why would He allow you to suffer?  That’s the question that entices us to give each temptation a fair hearing.  “Don’t worry about it.  Go ahead and do it.  He’ll forgive you anyway.  After all, you are God’s child, aren’t you?”  That’s the question that raises doubts in our minds.  To the mother who has been praying and praying for her son’s faith is tempted to wonder, “If God really cares, why hasn’t He answered your prayer?”  The tempter even makes you his own promises… makes it seem like he cares more about you than God does.  “Why should you have to stay in this marriage?  Surely you have a right to be happy.”  “So what if you aren’t married.  It feels good doesn’t it.  How can that be wrong?”  Of course when you give in the questions become even more sinister.     If you are really a child of God – how can you lie like that? How can you look at those pictures on the internet?  How can you call yourself a child of God when you talk back to your parents? When you stab your friends in the back?   That’s the question temptation raises – “Are you really God’s child?” 

Jesus was not afraid of this question.  He could look at Himself. He could look the devil in the eye.  Without hesitation He could answer,  “Yes I am the Son of God.”  Each answer he gives to temptation reflects his complete trust that God is His Father.  “Why would He allow me to go forty days without food?  Because, answers Jesus, He has better food to sustain me.  ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”  Jesus doesn’t need to jump from the temple for His Father to prove His love.   Jesus has the word His Father spoke to Him at His baptism.  So Jesus answered, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”  Because Jesus knew exactly where He stood with the Father in heaven, Satan has nothing to offer Him.    
We need not fear this question either.  “Are you really God’s child?”    God Himself has answered this question.  His answer is Jesus.  Jesus answers this question for us by living as the perfect child of God that you and I can never be.  He was tempted in every way just as we are, yet without sin.”  Jesus gave His life for our sins on the cross. He rose again on Easter that we might have life forever.  He prepared a place for us in His Father’s house.  In other words, Jesus took our place in death, that we might have His place as God’s child. 

You need not fear that question – no matter what the temptation… no matter how bad your own failure!  In Jesus God has supplied the best answer.  On that day when you and I came to faith… when you and were baptized, the Father said, “Yes You are my Son… You are my daughter whom I love.  In Jesus I am well pleased with you.”  He invites you weekly to sit at His family table… to receive His Son’s body and blood for the forgiveness of sins.  He has made you a member of His church,.  Believers in Christ are your siblings, your spiritual family… and is eager and ready to adopt more and more people as His sons and daughters.  Are you really God’s child?  God answer is beyond doubt.  There is no dispute.  In Christ – YES you are.