What is the Christian life all about? Some would say that it's about getting saved from the wrath of God; others that it's about being reconciled with God to become his children; others about submitting to Christ as Lord of our lives; and other about experiencing the regenerate lifestyle induced by the Holy Spirit. All these are legitimate aspects of the Christian life. Whichever aspect we appreciate the most tends to affect how we preach the gospel. But let us remember to try to give people the whole picture as to what the Christian life incorporates.

God the Father

Those who have been born children of God have a unique relationship with God not shared by the rest of the world. Being reconciled to God is one thing, but becoming children of God goes beyond simple reconciliation. For it is one thing to reconcile with your enemy so that he is now your ally or friend, but it is quite another to adopt him into your family. This new relationship affects both how God views us and how we view God and consequently how we view life. Eternal Security is one aspect of this new relationship.

"If, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!"Rom 5:10

"if we are children, then we are heirs— heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ" Rom 8:17

"For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.  And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?  He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all— how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?  Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.  Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died— more than that, who was raised to life— is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us." Rom 8:29-34

Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does." John 5:19

 "This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother." 1 John 3:10

"Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.  Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure." 1John 3:2,3

The Son of God

But along side the concept of Jesus as Lord, which focusses on the Kingdom of God, the Bible also emphasizes Jesus as Savior through his atoning work on the cross. "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace." Eph 1:7

The Holy Spirit

"Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation— but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it.  For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live,  because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.  For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, <"Abba,> Father." Rom 8:12-15

Sheep act as sheep, and goats as goats because it is in their nature. So also with children of God and children of the devil.