Post by Mark on Nov 5, 2008 5:20:34 GMT -8
Messiah Yeshua seemed to coin the phrase "children of God" in Matthew 5:9, declaring that those who make peace will be so called. The term "sons of God" goes way back into the oldest texts of the Bible and to this day it is debated on what the term means. It is first found in Genesis 6:2, "when the sons of God saw the daughters of men…." Some believe that this is referring to angelic creatures who had sexual relations with human women. Others believe that this is differentiating between the descendents of Seth (the sons of God) and the descendants of Cain (the daughters of men). The term is also found in the book of Job when "the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord," in Job 1:6 and 2:1). Most likely, this is referring to the children of Israel who were commanded to "present themselves before the Lord" at three different festivals each year (Exodus 23:17). Regardless of how the term originated, it had become an idiom for the Jewish people in Messiah’s day.
The declaration that those who make peace are qualified for this designation extends the title beyond the ethnic identity of the Jewish people. This identity is picked up on later in the apostolic epistles:
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
(Romans 8:14-17)
Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.
(Romans 9:6-8)
But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
(Galatians 3:25-29)
In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
(1 John 3:10-11)
Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
(1 John 5:1-3)
The Greek word iraynopoios, translated peacemakers, means to bring together in unity, to reconcile. To the Jew, however, it cannot simply mean pacification. It is the inevitable result of walking in obedience to the commands of Adonai.
Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished. By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil. When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
(Proverbs 16:5-7)
Messiah’s declaration in Matthew 5:9 is simply a reiteration of a basic element of Adonai’s character, much forgotten in traditional Judaism: that God is not a respecter of persons. Those who seek to please Him find His blessing, regardless of who they are, provided they are coming to Him on His terms rather demanding that He meet them on theirs.
Paul reinforces this principle in Romans 2:
For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
(Romans 2:28-29)
Unfortunately, this definition has not transferred easily into the Christian Church. The naming Jesus as the Messiah has become the sole qualifier, while walking in obedience to Adonai’s commandments has been utterly ignored.
There are many prophets in this world today who declare "peace, peace" where there is no peace. Many redefine the status of one who makes peace as one who compromises their stand on the nature and commandments of God in order to bring a false sense of unity. This is not the context of any passage of Scripture identifying the children of God. These are described as those who align themselves in obedience to following after the ways of Adonai, living in submissive obedience to the commands of
. True peace comes from God and is a blessing to those committed to live according to His Word.
The declaration that those who make peace are qualified for this designation extends the title beyond the ethnic identity of the Jewish people. This identity is picked up on later in the apostolic epistles:
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
(Romans 8:14-17)
Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.
(Romans 9:6-8)
But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
(Galatians 3:25-29)
In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
(1 John 3:10-11)
Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
(1 John 5:1-3)
The Greek word iraynopoios, translated peacemakers, means to bring together in unity, to reconcile. To the Jew, however, it cannot simply mean pacification. It is the inevitable result of walking in obedience to the commands of Adonai.
Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished. By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil. When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
(Proverbs 16:5-7)
Messiah’s declaration in Matthew 5:9 is simply a reiteration of a basic element of Adonai’s character, much forgotten in traditional Judaism: that God is not a respecter of persons. Those who seek to please Him find His blessing, regardless of who they are, provided they are coming to Him on His terms rather demanding that He meet them on theirs.
Paul reinforces this principle in Romans 2:
For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
(Romans 2:28-29)
Unfortunately, this definition has not transferred easily into the Christian Church. The naming Jesus as the Messiah has become the sole qualifier, while walking in obedience to Adonai’s commandments has been utterly ignored.
There are many prophets in this world today who declare "peace, peace" where there is no peace. Many redefine the status of one who makes peace as one who compromises their stand on the nature and commandments of God in order to bring a false sense of unity. This is not the context of any passage of Scripture identifying the children of God. These are described as those who align themselves in obedience to following after the ways of Adonai, living in submissive obedience to the commands of
. True peace comes from God and is a blessing to those committed to live according to His Word. 
