Does the Bible Say this? Let’s take a look.
This article explores what Scripture truly teaches about being children of God. It explains the difference between creation and adoption, spiritual rebirth, covenant identity, obedience, and how believers become part of God’s family through faith and walking in Torah.
You’ve probably heard it said before: “We are all children of God.” It sounds warm, kind, maybe even “inclusive.” But as women who desire to walk in truth, we have to pause and ask a harder question: Is that what Scripture actually teaches?
To find the answer, we must lay aside cultural, feel-good statements and return to the Word itself. When we do, a richer, deeper picture emerges. It’s one that reveals the beauty of what it truly means to belong to the Father.
From the beginning, the Bible makes something very clear: God created every human being.
“So God created humankind in his own image; in the image of God he created him: male and female he created them.”
— Genesis 1:27
“Then Adonai, God, formed a person from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, so that he became a living being.”
— Genesis 2:7
Paul reiterates this truth in Acts.
“nor is he served by human hands, as if he lacked something; since it is he himself who gives life and breath and everything to everyone.”
— Acts 17:25
Every person who has ever lived owes their existence to the Creator. We’re all formed by His hands and sustained by His breath. But being created by God does not automatically mean we belong to Him as sons and daughters. Creation establishes our origin, not our relationship.
The Bible shows us that becoming God’s child is not something we are born into physically. It is something that happens spiritually.
“But to as many as did receive him, to those who put their trust in his person and power, he gave the right to become children of God”
— John 1:12
Notice the language here. We are not told that everyone already is a child of God. We are told that those who receive Him and believe are given the right to become His children. This is an opportunity that is available to everyone.
John continues.
“not because of bloodline, physical impulse or human intention, but because of God.”
— John 1:13
This birth is not a physical one. Rather it is spiritual birth. Yeshua (Jesus) Himself explains this.
““Yes, indeed,” Yeshua answered him, “I tell you that unless a person is born again from above, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.”
— John 3:3
Being part of God’s family requires a new birth and a transformation of the heart.
Paul describes this relationship as an adoption.
“For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to bring you back again into fear; on the contrary, you received the Spirit, who makes us sons and by whose power we cry out, “Abba!” (that is, “Dear Father!”).”
— Romans 8:15
“but when the appointed time arrived, God sent forth his Son. He was born from a woman, born into a culture in which legalistic perversion of the Torah was the norm, so that he might redeem those in subjection to this legalism and thus enable us to be made God’s sons.”
— Galatians 4:4–5
Adoption tells a powerful story. It means we were once outside the family. God, in His mercy, chose to bring us in. Relationship with Him is not automatic. It is intentional and covenantal.
Yeshua spoke very plainly about this.
“Yeshua replied to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me; because I came out from God; and now I have arrived here. I did not come on my own; he sent me.”
— John 8:42
Later He said something even more striking.
“You belong to your father, Satan, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. From the start he was a murderer, and he has never stood by the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he is speaking in character; because he is a liar — indeed, the inventor of the lie!”
— John 8:44
These are difficult words to read, but they reveal a deep truth. There are two families, not one. John writes:
“Here is how one can distinguish clearly between God’s children and those of the Adversary: everyone who does not continue doing what is right is not from God. Likewise, anyone who fails to keep loving his brother is not from God.”
— 1 John 3:10
Spiritual identity is not determined by what we claim, but by whom we follow.
Scripture consistently shows that God’s children are identified by their obedience.
“Whoever does what my Father in heaven wants, that person is my brother and sister and mother.”
— Matthew 12:50
“If you love me, you will keep my commands”
— John 14:15
“Anyone who says, “I know him,” but isn’t obeying his commands is a liar — the truth is not in him.”
— 1 John 2:4
Walking in Torah is not about earning salvation. It is about having a family resemblance, because children reflect their Father.
We see this same thing being taught in the Torah itself. God did not call all humanity His people. He entered into a covenant with those who were His.
“I will take you as my people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am Adonai your God, who freed you from the forced labor of the Egyptians.”
— Exodus 6:7
“For you are a people set apart as holy for Adonai your God. Adonai your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his own unique treasure.”
— Deuteronomy 7:6
Israel was set apart not merely by bloodline, but by obedience and faithfulness to His covenant. God has always defined His family by those who walk with Him.
Yeshua explained it in Matthew.
“If you make a tree good, its fruit will be good; and if you make a tree bad, its fruit will be bad; for a tree is known by its fruit.”
— Matthew 12:33
Paul echoes this.
“All who are led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons.”
— Romans 8:14
A tree bears fruit, and if you are now in His family tree, you will bear His fruit. How we live reveals who our Father actually is.
So where did the phrase “We are all God’s children” come from?
It sounds compassionate, but it does not come from the Bible. It replaces repentance with feelings. It removes the call of obedience to Him.
The Bible does teach that God loves all, and He invites all. But not that all belong to Him from the beginning.
““Go in through the narrow gate; for the gate that leads to destruction is wide and the road broad, and many travel it; but it is a narrow gate and a hard road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
— Matthew 7:13–14
The beauty of this truth is that the invitation is open to everyone.
“since everyone who calls on the name of Adonai will be delivered”
— Romans 10:13 & Joel 3:5(2:32)
“Look to me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God; there is no other.”
— Isaiah 45:22
God does not exclude anyone, He invites all. But we must choose to walk through the narrow gate.
Prayerful Reflections
Everyone is created by God, but only those who walk in faith and obedience become His children.
“See what love the Father has lavished on us in letting us be called God’s children! For that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it has not known him.”
— 1 John 3:1
We are not God’s children just because we exist. We are God’s children because we walk with Him.
