The difference between being a child of God and a son of God is simple; it can be compared with ordinary childhood and adulthood.

A child of God can either be a newly converted born-again Christian called newborn babe (1 Peter 2:2), or that which has grown to some extent. A son of God is a person fully grown and able to handle responsibilities on his own (Hebrews 5:14).

A child if God is still tender and cannot handle tough things of God and are given little things to handle for the time being. In 1 Corinthians 3:2, apostle Paul was telling the newly converted followers of Christ that he fed them with little things which he referred to as “milk” because they would not have been able to handle the strong meat because they were still new born babes in Christ (1 Peter 2:2). The “meat” is meant not for the newly converted children of God, but for the fully grown sons of God (Hebrews 5:14).

Hebrews 5:14: “But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”

Children of God are guided and directed by angels (Hebrew 1:13-14), but the sons of God are led by the Spirit of God – the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:14; Galatians 5:18).

Romans 8:14: “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”

At the point of salvation as a newborn babe in Christ, angels may be with you always, directing and guarding your footsteps but as you advance from childhood to adulthood, the Holy Spirit will come within you yielding His fruits in you (Galatians 5:22-23) and giving you gifts also (1 Corinthians 12:7-11).

In Matthew 18:3, Christ was telling His followers to be converted and become as little children. Figuratively, Christ could be telling them to become newborn babes who would require sincere milk of the word to grow to be sons of God (1 Peter 2:2). Humility can also help one grow spiritually to be a son (1 Peter 5:5). Humility and meekness is a character of Christ (Matthew 11:29) and should be emulated by all aspiring sons of God because Christ has set an example that we all should follow (1 Peter 2:21).

Grown up sons of God should direct the children of God so that when the children grow to sons and daughters of God, they can as well do the same to the new born babes in Christ that they may continue to walk in the newness of their spiritual life and christian living (Roman 6:4).

Written by Faithful Servant

Origin: Biblical Christian Quotes and Lessons by FaithfulServant

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