Who is and who isn't a child of God? What does the Bible say?

There are many misconceptions that have developed about what the Bible says and doesn't say over the years.  One of those misconceptions is that we are all "children of God" simply because we were born here on earth. 

Nothing could be further from the truth.  As I shared before, the phrase "children of God" isn't even used in the Bible until the book of John, the last of the four Gospels.  The phrase is only used 10 times in the whole Bible. 

 As I shared last time, the Bible tells us very specifically who are the children of God.  Take a look.
 

John 1:12(NKJV)

12But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 

That seems pretty clear to me.  The only ones entitled to the name "children of God" are those who believe in Jesus.  But is the Bible equally clear on who are not the children of God?  As a matter of fact it is. 

Romans 9:6-9(NKJV)

6But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, 

7nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, “In Isaac your seed shall be called.” £ 

8That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed. 

9For this is the word of promise: “At this time I will come and Sarah shall have a son.” £

Doesn't get much clearer than that does it?  Just because you are born of the flesh does not automatically make you a child of God.

So how do you become a child of God?  By asking Jesus to come into your life an lead you.  How do you do that?  Have a conversation with Jesus and invite Him in.  "Dear Jesus…."