A Distinction

We like to think of God’s love as universal, His mighty arm as uniformly at the disposal of all. And yet, at the risk of defying one of the world’s most cherished creeds, I must stand by the truth that God is not Father to all. There is no universal love, no ambiguous benevolence that guards us all. God makes distinctions. In His sight, we all fall within one of two camps: we are either His child or we are not.  

Not as Harsh as It Sounds…

At first glance this may sound incredibly harsh and dogmatic, and yet most truth—most helpful truth, is rather black and white. A child either has cancer or does not. You either have the funds to meet this month’s bills, or you do not. It is not helpful to blur the answers to minimize the pain. If it is cancer, we must know so we can act. If there are no funds, we must know so we can make a plan. If God has a unique relationship with some people, we must know so we can be sure we are among those people. Hard truths may be painful, but in the end they open the door for hope.  

The Reality of God’s Distinction…

God’s distinction between His children and the rest of humanity is the story of the Bible. Over and over we see God interacting with people, welcoming them into a personal relationship with Himself. From our first parents Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden who were invited to walk with God in the cool of the evening, to Abraham who was described as a “friend of God,” we see God forming relationships. Prophets, peasants, kings, disciples and itinerate evangelists, the Bible speaks of God drawing near to His people. He spoke to them. He guided them. He comforted them in times of sorrow and delivered them in times of trouble. Hebrews 11 records for us an incredible recap of some of these relationships. It tells of Noah, Moses, Rahab and Sarah. In a simple one to two sentence summary, we see how these ordinary people did extraordinary things because of their faith in and friendship with the God of Heaven. Yet, tucked within this remarkable chapter there lies an interesting verse. After describing the faith of Moses in leading the Israelites out of Egypt we read: “By faith, they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians attempting to do so were drowned.” (Heb. 11:29)

Why the Distinction?

It’s the distinction. There was a difference. One group of people passed through the waters—walked across the floor of the Red Sea while God piled the waters to their right and left. One group of people did the miraculous, witnessed the power of God on their behalf. One group was delivered. One group was not. The Egyptians attempted to follow the Israelites. They stepped out in faith, but it was not faith in a Heavenly Friend. It was merely faith in their ability to do what others had done before them. The Egyptians had no God as their Father, no Mighty Friend to fight on their behalf. The Egyptians drowned.  

Why Knowing Makes All the Difference…

Do you see how important it is to know there is a distinction? Do you see how critical it is to know to which camp you belong to before you charge into the water? Oh, we like to think of ourselves as God’s child. We like to imagine He is there for us when we pray or when we need Him. But my friends, the line is not blurry. You either are His child or you are not. You can either rest your weary head at night knowing He stands guard over you, or you cannot. While God is often kind and gracious and merciful, there will always be a distinction. There are promises He has made and a love that is unique for His children. You recognize this in your own life. While you may care about the plight of other people’s children, it is for your own child that you are willing to die. It is your own child’s tears and concerns that you are most anxious about. There is, in your heart as in the heart of God, a distinction. The question to be answered is are you His child? Is He your God?  

Listen carefully to that question. It is not—do you go to church? Do you pray? Were you raised in a “Christian home” or were you baptized as a baby? The question isn’t even do you like God or like to talk about God? The question is are you His child? Is He your God? 1 Peter 2:10 speaks of God’s children saying, “[They are]…His own special people…who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” God has brought together a people—a family—out of every nation, race and heritage. He has welcomed into that family all who have hungered for a peace with God and have found it through the mercy of Jesus Christ.  

What Makes a Person Distinct?

God’s children are those who have called out to Jesus—those who have asked for forgiveness for their own sinfulness or imperfection and have asked to be made perfect or holy through the blood of Jesus alone. His children are not better than other people. They don’t do more good deeds or know more about the Bible—God’s children are those that trust what God says. They believe themselves to be sinners, without hope of ever having peace with God based on their own merit or good works (Eph. 2:12). They believe Jesus to be able and willing to wash them and cleanse them from all unrighteousness (Eph. 2:13). They believe that God will honor His Word and be their Father, their Lord, and one day will bring them home to an eternity with Him in heaven (Eph. 2:18).  

The Urgent Question…

Are you God’s child? Do you believe these things? You, my friend, live no ordinary life. The weight of the demands of your life has the power to drown you. And yet, there is hope. There is a God who bids you come. There is a God Who welcomes you into His family. There is a God Who isn’t asking you to do more but to trust Him, to believe the offer He has made you and to take it. “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matt. 11:28-29)  

Are you His child? If you are, oh take courage. He is a God Who knows how to part the seas and to grant you a path through dark waters. Though your days are long, your calling difficult, He will make a distinction—He will be by your side. He will ensure you reach the end.  

If you are not His child, come. Enter His family. Place no hope in yourself, your strength, your wisdom, your goodness. Place your faith in His Word. Call out to Jesus. Turn from yourself and run to Him. There is room for you—He will make a distinction. I beg you, come.  

Let Us Walk with You…

If you would like to talk to someone personally about these things, we at This Present Hope would be honored to answer any questions or help guide you in your journey towards hope. Contact us at info@thispresenthope.org.  

1 Peter 2:9-10 “But you are…His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.”  

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