What does it really mean to be a child of God? Senate Chaplain Barry Black shares several aspects of what it means to be a child of God. The first aspect is knowing we have a loving Father who is after our hearts and always has our best interest in mind.

“When we say ‘our father,’ we’re actually saying ‘our Daddy,’ ‘Abba.’ I realize I’m talking to someone who loves me so much; He wants what is best for me. He is so wise that He knows what’s best for me. He’s so powerful He can actually bring about what’s best for me. This is an amazing blessing, to be able to come fearlessly before the throne of grace. I have a relationship with Him; I am adopted into His family.”

Having been adopted as children of God, we are called to a higher standard of living.

“As a child of God, I have to represent the family name. When we left home, my mother used to tell us, ‘remember who you are.’ During my Navy career, when we would go into port, our commanding officer would say, ‘remember, you’re representing the United States of America.’ We want to represent God’s name well.”

As God’s children, we not only want to represent His name well, we also want to be in right relationship with Him personally. Barry says this desire for right relationship with God is expressed best by David in Psalm 19.

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14

“When I have that attitude toward the sovereign God of the universe, it’s sweet. It’s a hunger and a thirsting for righteousness. I want to be like Him, I want to represent the family name.”

Ask God to help these and other aspects of being a child of God to penetrate your heart and change the way you live in light of eternity.


Barry Black is the first African American to be appointed chaplain of the US Senate, where he has served since 2003. Previously, he was the only African American admiral in the history of the US Navy Chaplain Corps. Born into a single-parent home in the inner city of Baltimore, he went on to earn doctorates in both ministry and psychology. He has preached on every continent including Antarctica. Chaplain Black and his wife, Brenda, are the parents of three adult sons.

Barry Black on making your voice heard in heaven