The Bible tells us, “and I will be a Father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me, says the Lord Almighty” (2 Corinthians 6:18). What father doesn’t love his daughters? How much more so our Heavenly Father?
When we study the Bible rightly, we find when the Bible speaks of sons or brothers, daughters and sisters are often included. This is by virtue of the Greek word used for “sons” (huioi) and “brothers” (adelphoi), especially when denoting companion believers in Christ. Most times the phrase “brothers and sisters” isn’t written, but a footnote references the inclusion. You can watch for them when you are reading Scripture.
As an example, in 2 Corinthians 13:11, Paul says, “Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.” When Paul says, “brothers,” in this passage, he means, “brothers and sisters.”
Who Are Daughters of God?
All those God calls and saves by grace through faith in Christ are saved, and are children of God (John 1:12). In the Old Testament, sons and daughters of God came to faith in Christ by the same means of grace as we do today. When we read about Sarah, Esther, Ruth, Hannah, and Deborah, for example, we realize they are daughters of God as much as we Christian women today.
In the New Testament, we learn that since Jesus is God, daughters of Christ are directly known as God’s daughters, too. To answer the question you may be asking: A woman (or a girl) becomes a daughter of God by His movement to draw her to Himself through the Lord Jesus Christ (John 6:44; John 14:6). We then acknowledge our need as sinners for a Savior, trust in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, and accept His kind invitation for salvation (Romans 5:6-10). This is done by His grace alone, through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8), in Christ alone (Acts 4:12).
We are justified, and Christ, through His Holy Spirit, then begins His work of sanctification in us (changing us more and more into Christ’s image as we repent from ongoing sins). Any works we do are in thankful and worshipful response to His love for us and our love for Him (1 John 4:19).
How Does God Love His Daughters?
Adopted as His children
We rejoice in knowing God loves us so much, we have been adopted as His daughters and are therefore co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17; 1 John 3:1). That’s the greatest and most glorious way God shows His love for His daughters.
Protection
In many passages, God’s commands are pointed directly at how His daughters are to be treated, and therefore loved. The submissive actions of a beloved daughter are in response to the Lord’s love for her through her husband (Ephesians 5:22-33). As Christ is the Head and Protector of the husband (Psalm 91; 2 Thessalonians 3:3; John 17:12; 1 John 5:18-19), the husband is the protector of his wife. (For single women and widows, God makes provision for you both as His daughters, too. He protects you, according to Psalm 68:5; 1 John 5:18).
The Church
Jesus told us He is building His church, and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18). Therefore, once you become a Christian, you are part of Christ’s church and His kingdom. You have been transferred from the domain of darkness into the kingdom of light (Colossians 1:13).
Godly Women Friends
Because Christ has made us part of His church, we have other women with whom to fellowship as God’s daughters. Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” Don’t despair, this means women, too, can benefit from growing together with other Christian women in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. We love the Lord together as we praise him for His love for us.
Eternal life with Christ
Can it get any better than this? No. A thousand times, no. God’s love for His daughters transcends this life and stretches into eternity future (Romans 8:28-30).
Discipline
Because God loves us like a daughter, He will not withhold discipline to legitimize our standing as His children (Hebrews 12:7-8).
The Constant and Abiding Presence of the Holy Spirit
A passage to help you remember this is 2 Corinthians 13:14, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” What an exciting and comforting promise from the Lord.
His Word
God’s love for His daughters is evidenced all through Scripture. From the creation of Eve as “the mother of all living” (Genesis 3:20), to Mary, whom God used as an obedient vessel to bring Christ into human history (Luke 1:38), to Lois and Eunice, mother and grandmother to Timothy (2 Timothy 1:5), whose faith was an example to him as he grew. God’s Word is an epic of His love for us — His redemptive works throughout history to reconcile humanity to Himself (John 15:13; Luke 24:13-35).
His Peace
Jesus’ love shines for us through the peace He promised. “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27).
His Comfort
Jesus said, “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” (Matthew 11:29). It’s His yoke, not ours. Jesus paid it all for our sins, and He gave us His peace and comfort (Psalm 23). His great love for us is spelled out through the comfort He brings His children.
Rest in Christ and His Sufficiency
The initiation toward our salvation and sanctification is all of and from the Lord God. God called us by His will (John 6:44), He saved us (Titus 3:5), He justified us (Romans 3:21-28), and He sanctifies us (Philippians 1:6). Rest in Him and in His sufficiency.
The Gospel
John 3:16 and Romans 1:16 display the Father’s love for us in that He gave His only Son for us. Jesus is the gospel and the gospel is the power for salvation for all who believe. Hallelujah for the Father’s deep and abiding love for us.
How Are God’s Daughters Taught to Love Both Others and God?
As we look at the ways God reflects our growth in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, we need to remember our salvation is real and is assured by His Spirit within us (Romans 8:16; 1 John 5:11-13). The reason we obey is because we love the Lord and want to express our love to Him and bring Him glory; we don’t obey to earn His favor. We are already justified and we stand in the sure promises of Christ and what He has done for us on the cross (Colossians 2:2; Hebrews 6:11; 10:22; 11:1). Here then are eight ways we love God, and love others.
1. Loving the Lord
1 John 4:19 says “we love because He first loved us.” And as we review what love looks like (1 Corinthians 13), we see Christ loves us perfectly. We cannot love Him perfectly (with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength) until we are glorified, but we get better. It’s His work in us that makes us better (sanctified).
2. Worshiping the Lord
The entirety of our lives is an act of worship to the Lord, and He imparts His loving grace to us by ordinary means within His church — by the preaching of His Word, prayer (individual and corporate), and the sacraments (baptism and the Lord’s supper). These means of grace are ordinary because they encompass everyday and regular goings-on within the life of a faithful, biblical church.
3. Serving
Our outflow of love for the Lord includes serving, fellowship, and hospitality.
4. Mentoring
Just as Lois and Eunice mentored Timothy (2 Timothy 1:5), we, as God’s daughters are called to come alongside spiritually younger women (Titus 2:3-5, 11-14) and help them as they grow in Christ.
5. Hospitality
When we show hospitality to others, we reflect God’s love for us to others (Matthew 22:37).
6. Fellowship
Since God founded our faith (Hebrews 12:2) and His church (Matthew 16:18), we are right to bask in His love among the saints (Ephesians 3:14-21; Hebrews 10:25).
7. Submission to Our Husbands
Ephesians 5 spells out God’s order of authority for His daughters. We should not fear nor disparage submission to those God has placed as our head — first Christ, then our husbands (if we are married), and then the elders of our church. God’s ways are always the best ways (Isaiah 55:8).
8. Submission to Our Church Elders
This is God’s design for an orderly and biblical church structure. He has equipped elders (1 Timothy 3) to oversee the church and shepherd the flock God has placed under their watchful care.
Being a daughter of God places a woman in the best position ever. God’s love fills and surrounds her with all she needs to live a life filled with the enjoyment of and response to His love. 2 Peter 1:3-4 is a wonderful passage to memorize as we reflect on God’s love for His daughters:
“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence, by which He has granted to us His precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.”
Daughters of God, I pray you rest in the love of Christ.
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