The moment we put our faith in Jesus Christ and His victory on the cross, we are automatically added into God's family. What that means is that God becomes our heavenly Father and the church now becomes our spiritual family. What does that really mean for us?

Ephesians 2:19 tells us, "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God" (ESV). It can often sound too much of a cliché to be called sons and daughters of God, but no other identity could be more powerful. It is because we are sons and daughters that we can freely approach God as a child would approach a father.

To better appreciate the beauty of this new identity we have, it's important that we understand where we stood prior to being children of God. Colossians 1:21 tells us, "Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior" (NIV). It's a scary thought to be considered an enemy of God. I don't think you want to be an enemy of the most powerful being there ever will be, but because of our sin, that's what we once became.

But, through God's infinite love, He made a way for us to experience His grace; He sent Jesus Christ to be the atoning sacrifice so that we would be pardoned of all our sins and draw near once more to God—this time no longer as enemies, but as members of His household.

Just like any household, if you are a member of mine, you have access to virtually anything in my home. You can open my fridge, you can turn on my television, you can use any facility and you can even make use of my personal belongings. It's no different with God's family. Because we are members of God's family, we now have access to His power and provision.

Ephesians 1:3 says, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places" (ESV). It is most wonderful that we are now sons and daughters and no other identity matters more—not your job position, not your PhD., not your gym membership, not even your natural citizenship. Because you are now sons and daughters, you have full and complete access to God's grace and goodness and it all comes simply by faith in Jesus Christ.