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Chosen no: R-50 a, from: 1879 Year. |
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Sons of God.
Have we
ever fully realized what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that
we should be called the sons of God? While the sons are being perfected, it is not expected that the world will understand it, for it is declared
that the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. But it is
expected of the professed "followers of God as dear children" to
understand their relationship to the Father, and to receive instruction from him.
"Beloved,
now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we
know that, when he shall appear we shall be like him; for we shall see him as
he is." 1 John 3:1,2.
"As
many as are led by the spirit of God, they are the sons of God." Rom. 8:14. "Begotten sons, waiting
for the adoption--full sonship."
The
relationship to God as sons, was little, if at all understood, prior to the
advent of Jesus Christ in the flesh. "Now this I say, that the heir as
long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be Lord of
all; but is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father;
even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the
world; but when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his son, made
of a woman, made under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And
because we are sons, God hath sent forth the spirit of his son into your
hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son;
and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ." Gal.
4:1,7.
"Now
therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the
saints, and of the household--family--of God; and are built upon the foundation
of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner
stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together, groweth into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom ye are also builded together for a habitation of God through the Spirit." Eph. 2:19,22.
We see
then that the evidence of sonship, is being led by the Spirit;
having the spirit of truth to guide us into all truth, bearing witness
with our spirit that we are the children of God; and if children, then heirs; "heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." Rom.
8:16,17.
Jesus
said: "If ye love me, ye will keep my words. Greater love [R51 : page 6] hath no man than this, that a man
lay down his life for his friends. This is my commandment, that ye love one
another, as I have loved you. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever
I command ye. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not
what his lord doeth; but I have called you friends; for all things that I have
heard of my Father, I have made known unto you." John
15:12,15.
What an
inestimable privilege our Father has conferred upon us, that we should be
exalted to the glorious position of sons of God; and to know, even here, what
our Lord does; by being taught of him. "Ye have an unction from the
Holy One, and ye know all things. But the anointing which ye have received of
him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you; but as the
same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie,
and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in (him) it." 1 John 2:20,27.
We are
living in the period of Christ's (Parousia) presence; and consequently
near to the time when the sons of God will be glorified; so it comes to
us with peculiar force, to heed the injunction of the "disciple whom Jesus
loved;" "and now little children, abide in him; that when he
shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before
him at his (Parousia) presence. If ye know that he is righteous,
ye know that every one that doeth righteousness, is born (begotten) of
him." 1 John 2:28,29. "For ye have
not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption--sonship--whereby we cry, Abba, Father. For unto you it is given,
in behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for
his sake." Phil. 1:29.
How it
strengthens us to "endure hardness;" and to "press
forward;" and to rejoice, "inasmuch as, if we are partakers of
Christ's sufferings, when his glory shall be revealed, we may be glad also with
exceeding joy." 1 Pet. 4:13. "Though
he were a son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; and
being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them
that obey him." Heb. 5:8.
If with him God will freely give us all things; will we not, as sons, share with
him as the author of eternal salvation? "The whole creation waiteth for
the manifestation of the sons of God." Rom. 8:19.
At present the world knows them not. As God is love, think you he will
have anything but a loving family? We are taught to love the
brotherhood; as members of one body to be interested in each other.
The
first, of the fruits of the spirit, is Love. We are also taught, by precept and example, to love our enemies. There remaineth these
three: faith, hope and love; but the greatest is love.
Do all
things without murmurings and disputings; that ye may be blameless and
harmless; the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and
perverse generation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world. B. W. K.
W.T. R-50a : page 6
- 1879r