Created in God’s Image (Imago Dei)
All people – believers and unbelievers alike – are made in God’s image and likeness. Genesis 1:26–27 emphasizes that God created “man in our image, after our likeness,” meaning humans uniquely reflect God’s character (rationality, morality, relationality) and have intrinsic worth. Every person’s life has value because of this Imago Dei. The CSB likewise records, “So God created man in his own image… he created them male and female,” as does the NASB. Theologically, Imago Dei implies that all humans are moral beings and stewards of creation. It explains why society affirms human rights and why Christians must oppose violence and injustice: each person, even the unredeemed, bears God’s likeness and glory.
However, Imago Dei does not automatically make everyone a child of God. The concept of being “sons” or “children” of God in Scripture refers to a spiritual relationship through Christ, not merely biological creation. Genesis itself never calls Adam “God’s son” in the same way; that title comes through redemption. In the Fall, humans preserved God’s image but came under sin’s power. From then on, Scripture distinguishes between our created dignity and our spiritual destiny.
Becoming Children of God by Faith
Scripture teaches that becoming a child of God requires a new birth and faith in Jesus Christ. John 1:12 explicitly connects faith with sonship: “But to all who did receive [Christ], who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (ESV). Likewise, the CSB reads “he gave them the right to be children of God” and the NASB “He gave the right to become children of God.” This adoption is not automatic at birth; it comes when one “receives” Christ (believing and trusting Him). The apostle Paul echoes this: “For through faith you are all sons of God in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:26 CSB). The ESV similarly says, “in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.” Here, “sons” (children) of God refers to believers “in Christ”. Even the NASB adds, “sons and daughters of God through faith in Christ Jesus,” highlighting that all believers, male and female, share this status.
Paul further explains the Spirit’s role in adoption: “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God” (Rom 8:14 ESV). We did not receive a spirit of slavery, “but… the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’” (Rom 8:15–16 ESV). The Spirit Himself testifies that “we are children of God.” In other words, it is only those regenerated by the Holy Spirit who genuinely call God “Father.” The CSB concurs: “All those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons” (Rom 8:14 CSB), and NASB says “all who are being led by the Spirit of God… are sons of God.” In sum, children of God are believers enabled by the Spirit, adopted into God’s family.
This teaching is also in 1 John: “See what kind of love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are” (1 John 3:1 ESV). The CSB similarly says, “we should be called God’s children. And we are!” John celebrates that believers already are God’s children now, a present reality. Yet this new birth only comes through Christ (cf. John 3:3–5). Those who trust Christ receive forgiveness and righteousness, becoming part of God’s family (Gal 3:27–29). As Jesus said, unless we are “born again” by the Spirit, we cannot see or enter God’s kingdom (John 3:3,5).
Who Are Not God’s Children?
If all are made in God’s image, how do we explain that not all are God’s children? Scripture is clear that unbelievers, while still image-bearers, lack the filial relationship with God. 1 John 3:10 draws this sharp contrast: “By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God” (ESV). The CSB spells it out: “Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child.” NASB concurs: “anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God.” In context, John explains that true children of God keep His commandments and love one another; those who persist in sin or hate do not belong to God’s family.
Thus, while every person has intrinsic value (Imago Dei), those who remain in unbelief or unrepentant sin are not part of God’s household. They may still bear God’s image (moral conscience, reason), but they are “children of the devil” in a spiritual sense (cf. 1 John 3:10). Jesus Himself acknowledged this division: some have “abode in” the evil one (1 John 3:10–11) and others have been born of God (John 1:12–13). The Bible never says unbelievers are God’s children. Instead, it calls them strangers, aliens, or enemies by default (Eph 2:12; Col 1:21). The title “child of God” always implies regeneration and faith.
Theologically, this makes sense because God’s family is defined by His gracious initiative. Just as a father adopts children of another family by choice, so God adopts believers through Christ. We are born into Adam’s race by natural descent (Genesis 5:3), but we are born into God’s family by the Spirit (John 3:6–8). Romans 8:15–17 describes this “Spirit of adoption” that only believers receive. Galatians 4:5 also says Christ redeemed us “that we might receive adoption as sons” through faith.
Theological Implications
This distinction flows from God’s redemptive plan. Creation gives universal value and accountability (Imago Dei). Fall corrupts everyone’s heart, but does not erase the image entirely. Redemption grants new birth: believers become new creations (2 Cor 5:17) and heirs of God. The term adoption highlights God’s mercy: we were once outsiders, now brought into His family with full rights and inheritance (Rom 8:17). Scripture’s use of “sons” or “children” of God underscores not only privilege but responsibility. Believers are to live as God’s children — loving others, obeying God (1 John 3:10–11; Eph 5:1; 1 Pet 1:14).
Furthermore, this doctrine affirms both human dignity and the uniqueness of Christ. It affirms that all people matter (by creation) while also asserting that full fellowship with God comes only through the gospel. The New Testament consistently ties “God’s children” to Christ (“in Christ Jesus”) and the Spirit, so one cannot claim divine sonship apart from faith. As Jesus said, no one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). This preserves God’s sovereignty: membership in His family is by His choosing (Eph 1:5) through Christ.
Practical Application
Understanding this biblical truth shapes Christian living in several ways:
- Identity in Christ: Believers should rest in dual identity. Every person is image-bearer (Genesis 1) – this means respecting others, upholding justice, and treating all with dignity. At the same time, Christians rejoice that by faith they are now children of God (1 John 3:1–2) with a father who loves them (Rom 8:15). This empowers us to pray “Abba! Father!” intimately. We are heirs of God and Christ (Rom 8:17) and thus have boldness in our identity. We are called to live worthy of this calling (Eph 4:1).
- Evangelism: This distinction underscores the urgency of the Gospel. Everyone we meet bears God’s image; this commands our respect and kindness in evangelism. Yet we also know that not everyone is God’s child. Sharing Christ is offering others the privilege of adoption (John 1:12). We can compassionately explain that there is a difference between being created by God and being chosen by God. We present Jesus not as a way of earning dignity (we already have it by creation) but as the One who enables us to enter God’s family. The biblical basis reassures us that this message is fair and loving: all are offered the same grace to become God’s children (Gal 3:26).
- Discipleship: For new believers, this doctrine means teaching them to live as God’s children. That includes obedience (“practice righteousness”) and love for others. Believers must be reminded daily that God is their Father by grace, not by works. As children who received a rich inheritance, they are to grow in Christlike character (2 Pet 1:3–11) and to rely on the Holy Spirit (Rom 8:14–17). Small groups and churches can reinforce that while all baptized persons share human dignity, not all who profess Christianity are truly born of God. Genuine faith produces the fruit of righteousness and love (1 John 3:10–11). Discipleship must nurture both the privilege of sonship and the responsibility it entails.
The Bible makes a clear distinction: All humans are God’s image-bearers (Gen 1:26–27), but only believers are God’s children by adoption (John 1:12; Rom 8; Gal 3:26; 1 John 3:1–10). This teaches us to value every person and to share the gospel so they, too, can be called “children of God.” As believers, we embrace our new family identity and live as obedient sons and daughters of our heavenly Father.