How to Know You Are a Child of God
A Sermon on John 1:12-13
Originally preached May 12, 1963
Scripture
12But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
Sermon Description
Every person has a family, but not everyone has a family that is unified. The Christian has a family that is built on unity and love. In this sermon on John 1:12–13 titled “We Love the Brethren,” Dr. Lloyd-Jones applies one more test of assurance for the Christian by expounding on the brotherhood of believers. Every Christian has experienced regeneration, adoption, sanctification, and many other experiences. Although Christians may have separate circumstances, every believer is unified by their experience, interests, and hope. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones sheds light on the fact that every believer possesses a discernment that the unbeliever cannot possess. Moreover, the believer has an affinity for their brothers and sisters in the faith. Even as the believer gains a love for their fellow believer, they sense a distance between themselves and unbelieving friends and even family. This is, Dr. Lloyd-Jones warns, what is meant by Jesus when he said, “I have not come to bring peace but the sword.” The Christian should expect to be met with resistance and even persecution from unbelieving friends, family, and even local governments. Until they are safely home in heaven, the brotherhood of believers provides encouragement, exhortation, and renewed hope.
Sermon Breakdown
- We must be able to recognize our brethren in Christ. There are certain marks and signs that identify them as children of God.
- We have a sense of belonging with other Christians. There is an immediate unity and bond between believers.
- We have been separated from our old relationships and joined to new relationships in Christ. Our new birth in Christ has changed all of our relationships.
- We share the same interests as other Christians like an interest in the kingdom of God and heaven.
- We speak the same spiritual language as other Christians. We recognize the same spiritual accent and idioms.
- We prefer the company of other Christians over unbelievers. We enjoy fellowship with other believers the most.
- We are concerned for the wellbeing of other Christians. We bear their burdens, help them in times of need, and suffer when they suffer.
Sermon Q&A
What Did Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Teach About Evidence of Being God's Child?
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain the importance of assurance of salvation?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, assurance of salvation is essential for both personal spiritual wellbeing and effective Christian service. He explains that "nothing is more important than assurance" because "we can only truly function as instruments and channels and vehicles of the grace of God" when we are "delivered from all concern about ourselves and assured of our sonship." He adds that "an uncertain, unhappy Christian is ineffective always and is a very poor recommendation for the gospel," citing the scriptural truth that "the joy of the Lord is your strength."
What does Lloyd-Jones identify as the key family relationship test of being a child of God?
Lloyd-Jones identifies love for other believers ("the brethren") as the key test, based on 1 John 3:14: "We know that we have passed from death unto life because we love the brethren." He explains this as a horizontal relationship test that follows our vertical relationship with God. This love for other Christians is not merely theoretical but practical and involves the whole person - "mind, heart, and will." He describes it as something "elemental, something almost instinctive" that genuinely connects believers to one another.
How does Lloyd-Jones explain the sword that Christ brings to relationships?
Lloyd-Jones explains that becoming a child of God necessarily causes separation from old attachments and relationships. He cites Jesus' words in Matthew 10, "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth. I came not to send peace, but a sword." He describes how this sword divides families when one member becomes a Christian, creating painful but inevitable separation. This division occurs because the new believer has undergone a spiritual rebirth, causing them to prioritize Christ above all else, including the closest family relationships. He shares a poignant story of a wife who resented her husband's newfound faith, saying she "would sooner see you carried in dead drunk from the working men's club than coming home from this prayer meeting."
What specific signs does Lloyd-Jones say identify true believers to each other?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies several signs that believers recognize in one another: 1. A spiritual discernment that allows Christians to recognize fellow believers instinctively 2. A sense of belonging to other Christians 3. Separation from worldly attachments 4. Shared family interests - including the same beliefs, interest in God's kingdom, and hope of glory 5. Speaking the same spiritual "language" or "idiom" (beyond mere terminology) 6. Preferring other Christians' company above all others 7. Genuine concern for fellow believers' welfare - bearing their burdens, helping them, and suffering with them
How does Lloyd-Jones distinguish between natural and spiritual family relationships?
Lloyd-Jones teaches that while God ordained natural family relationships (those "of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of men"), spiritual relationships transcend them because believers are "born of God." He emphasizes that Christians are "all together, partakers of the divine nature" with "the new blood in us all, the new outlook, the new orientation." This creates a bond deeper than natural relationships, as believers share common salvation, common interests, and a common eternal destiny. He notes that while the Bible never depreciates natural relationships, this "new kingdom transcends the natural," creating a new family where Christ takes priority above all other relationships.
The Book of John
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.