How great is the love the Father has lavished on us,
that we should be called children of God.
—1 John 3:1
In the ancient world, an adopted child had all the rights of a birth child—natural-born and adopted children were equal heirs.
Even adults were sometimes adopted. When that occurred, their previous life was utterly wiped out. Debts were canceled as if they had never existed. They had a new identity as a member of the family.
God adopted you; made you a part of his family (Eph 1:5). Your past was canceled; all debts wiped out; you had a brand-new name.
You are not just called a child of God; you are a child of God (1 Jn 3:1–2), with the full rights belonging to his children (Gal 4:5).
Great is the love God has lavished on you.
Obey God, not to be loved,
but because you are loved.