Every one who believes that Jesus is the Christ
is a child of God.
1 John 5:1
See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him (1 Jn 3:1).
Now that we are reborn, as I have said, in the likeness of our Lord, and have indeed been adopted by God as his children, let us put on the complete image of our Creator so as to be wholly like him, not in the glory that he alone possesses, but in innocence, simplicity, gentleness, patience, humility, mercy, harmony, those qualities in which he chose to become, and to be, one with us. (St Peter Chrysologus)
Beloved, we are God's children now; it does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. And every one who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure (1 Jn 3:2-3).
He destined us in love to be his sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved (Eph 1:5-6). They are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection (Lk 20:36).
"But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men (Lk 6:35). Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God" (Mt 5:9).
We must above all show charity to our enemies. By this you may know that a man is a true Christian, if he seeks to do good to those who wish him evil (St. Alphonsus Liguori).
