‘Child of God’: Falcons Rookie Urges Fans to Root Their Identity in Christ

Published: January 1, 2026

By Mallory Mattingly

Rookie Atlanta Falcons running back Nathan Carter wants you to know that the most important part of your identity is as “child of God.”

“A while ago, @johnsonbowie spoke to our team. He shared a powerful message: ‘The most important truth we can understand is being a child of God. If that is not enough, nothing will ever be enough,'” Carter wrote in an Instagram post. “One tragedy in Christianity is reducing it solely to heaven and hell. While eternity matters, we often overlook the precious gift Jesus instantly offers: adoption into God’s family. This truth affects every aspect of our lives!”

“Being a child of God is not just an encouraging title; it is a life-altering reality,” the athlete continued. “A complete transformation in who we are. Once, we were orphans, enemies of God, and children of wrath. Through Jesus Christ, we are no longer orphans but are adopted. We are no longer enemies but reconciled friends. We are no longer children of wrath but beloved children of God.”

“A common misconception is that everyone automatically belongs to God’s family,” he added. “Despite what people claim, it is only through believing and receiving Jesus Christ that we obtain the right to become children of God. Rejecting Jesus as Lord and Savior is proof that you belong to a different spiritual father, Satan. Likewise, many claim to be ‘children of God,’ yet their actions contradict that claim. Scripture teaches that those adopted into God’s family reflect His character. Does your life display the fruit of being a true child of God?”

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Carter included 1 John 3:9-10, which reads, “No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister.”

John 1:12-13 touches on a similar theme: “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”

“Those born of God demonstrate their identity through a changed heart and transformed life. Living in deliberate, unrepentant sin, rejecting God’s commands, and lacking love for others indicates no evidence of truly being His,” the running back said.

“If you are seeking forgiveness, love, freedom, and a lasting sense of belonging to a family, run into the arms of the Father,” he concluded. “He welcomes you with grace, mercy, and relentless love, eager to adopt you as His own. He desires to transform you into His glorious image, wanting you to experience a fulfilling relationship with Him both now and for all eternity. He desires to transform every part of your being so that you can embrace the person He created you to be. Don’t enter 2026 apart from Christ. Don’t wait until tomorrow, you can become His today!”

As we head into 2026, Carter wants you to understand that putting your trust in Jesus Christ as your savior instantly changes your identity to child of God.

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