Every one of us knows what it is to be a child. Each of us has entered this world in the same way; we are first a babe and then a child. Some know what it is to be a parent. We find out what it is to have children and how precious they are!
God had one Son. He wanted more like Him and He will have them around Himself in His house. How can this be? Only through Him, as born of God. (John 1:13; 3:8.) Faith in Christ Jesus brings us into God's family. "Ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." Gal. 3:26.
The Apostle John, in his gospel and also in his epistles, writes of the family, the Father and His children. This is what makes these four books especially sweet and precious. They are of the family and heavenly in character. John's gospel proclaims the Father and the Son. The epistles speak of the children and fellowship with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. All is for His enjoyment first, but also for our enjoyment.
When we realize that God wanted children and something of what it cost Him to get them (the death of His own, well-beloved Son), then we can, in measure, understand and appreciate His great love towards us. (1 John 4:9.) So it is that we sec that light manifested love. "God is light." 1 John 1:5. “God is love." 1 John 4:8.
Paul, as well as John, uses the term "My little children." It expresses preciousness and gives us God's thoughts of His children. When Jesus was in this world He said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." John 14:6. He is the captain of our salvation who is bringing many sons to glory. (Heb. 2.)
God wanted children. So we read in Eph. 1, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. who hath blessed us... hath chosen us... having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.”
Ed.