Sons Of God!

     "Beloved, now are we the sons of God.  It does not yet appear what we shall be. However,  we know that when He shall appear we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is."            (1 John 3:2)

     Wow!  What a promise!  When Jesus is finally revealed in the heavens as He comes to take us home, those who believe in Him and have faithfully followed Him day by day will find that we are like Him, and that we "will know Him even as we are known by Him now".   (1 Corinthians 13:12)

     What we will truly know and understand then is how much we really are like Him.  It will be understood clearly that the working in us of His Holy Spirit has truly transformed us into His likeness.  We will then understand that we really are the children of God, that Jesus is our BROTHER, and that we are treated by God the Father as His offspring just as much as His Son Jesus. 

     Here is a thought for meditation that will take your breath away.  It is something that is so deep and broad that it seems almost impossible - even blasphemous in some way.  While it is true we won't be divine like Jesus is, yet we should allow the Holy Spirit to show us these deep things of God.  If we will allow ourselves to be inspired by these holy musings, it will inspire us to a deeper dedication, a more earnest consecration to God.  We do not understand how great is the plan God has for us, His purpose in creating us.  But we must know if we are to reach the place our Father has prepared for us. 

     This is why we have been told that Jesus is not ashamed to call us brothers.  Because both the one doing the sanctifying and the ones being sanctified are all from One.  "Therefore He is not ashamed to call us His brothers".  (see Hebrews 2)  Let your mind wrap around this idea.     "But we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, even the wisdom that has been hidden, which God foreordained before the worlds unto our glory:....but as it is written, eye has not seen and ear has not heard, neither has it entered into the heart of man, What great things God prepared for them that love him.  But God reveals them to us through the Spirit: for the Spirit searches all things, yea, the deep things of God."    (1 Corinthians 2:7-10)

     Are you really God's son or daughter?  Have you given yourself to Him without reserve?  Then believe that for Christ's sake the Father accepts you as truly His own offspring.  You are not a second class child.  You are indeed a legitimate child, flesh of His flesh, blood of His blood.  All that belongs to Jesus as God's Son belongs to you as His child also.  Live worthy of the name by which you are called.  Show to everyone you meet what it means to be a child of God!

Growth In Understanding - A Resolution

     Our God is so good!  He has given us a new year.  An opportunity to evaluate where we are and where we need to be.  As we look over the past year let us give thanks where we have made progress in the Christian walk.  Let us repent at the remembrance of our failures.  Let us lay hold of the grace, the power of God offered us to overcome and be victorious in this battle against the devil.  I personally give myself unreservedly to my Savior.

     "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways submit to Him and He will direct your paths."  (Proverbs 3:5-6)

     "The path of the righteous is as a shining light, Going and brightening till the day is established."   (Proverbs 4:18)

     " Then we shall know, we who follow on to know Jehovah. His going forth is established as the dawn. And He shall come to us as the rain, as the latter and former rain to the earth."     (Hosea 6:3)

     "Angels are engaged night and day in the service of God for the uplifting of man in accordance with the plan of salvation. Man is required to love God supremely, that is, with all his might, mind, and strength, and his neighbor as himself. This he cannot possibly do unless he shall deny himself. Said Christ: "Whosoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me."   

     Self-denial means to rule the spirit when passion is seeking for the mastery; to resist the temptation to censure and to speak faultfinding words; to have patience with the child that is dull and whose conduct is grievous and trying; to stand at the post of duty when others may fail; to lift responsibilities wherever and whenever you can, not for the purpose of applause, not for policy, but for the sake of the Master, who has given you a work to be done with unwavering fidelity; when you might praise yourself, to keep silent and let other lips praise you. Self-denial is to do good to others where inclination would lead you to serve and please yourself. Although your fellow men may never appreciate your efforts or give you credit for them, yet you are to work on.  

     Search carefully and see whether the truth which you have accepted has become a firm principle with you. Do you take Christ with you when you leave the closet of prayer? Does your religion stand guard at the door of your lips? Is your heart drawn out in sympathy and love for others outside of your own family? Are you diligently seeking a clearer understanding of Scriptural truth, that you may let your light shine forth to others? These questions you may answer to your own souls. Let your speech be seasoned with grace and your demeanor show Christian elevation."   (4T521)