p. 11 | Sonship With God by F. M. W.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 8, 1910

Sonship With God

By F. M. W.

THE bestowment of sonship on poor sinners is a marvelous revelation of God's grace. Says the apostle, “Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.” God not only calls his children to this high and exalted relationship, but he affords them the power whereby the attainment of this position is made possible. “As many as received Him,” says the apostle John, “to them gave he power to become the sons of God.” This power is bestowed through the simple exercise of active faith; hence the rich and the poor, the learned and the illiterate, the bond and the free, can all comply with the condition, and receive the promised aid.

The bestowment of sonship is more than the giving of an empty title; it confers upon every recipient material benefits. Says the apostle Paul: “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. . . . The Spirit itself beareth 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.” Marvelous beyond finite comprehension is the declaration of the Lord that the Father loves the disciples even as he loves his only begotten Son! This wealth of infinite love is shown in that he makes the disciple a joint heir with Jesus Christ. All that Christ inherits, his followers will inherit with him. The joys of eternity, the pleasures at God's right hand forevermore, all these will be shared by the faithful with Christ.

As the followers of the Lord, we are children of the King. In this glorious heritage let us lift up our heads and rejoice. The resources of divine power are at our disposal; all heaven is interested in our salvation; heavenly agencies are seeking to co-operate with our efforts in the accomplishment of God's work in the earth, in the salvation of ourself and our fellows. The inhabitants of other worlds are looking on to see how we acquit ourselves in the great conflict. In view of this, let us be brave and loyal.

If we stand on the side of truth, we stand on the side of God; and if God be with us and for us, who can be against us? The powers of earth may oppose, evil influences may combine; but they who be with us are more than they who be against us. We need constantly to be humble and distrustful of self, and strong in the strength of God. We need daily to sense our weaknesses and tendencies to evil, and not for one moment, by following our own way, take ourselves out of the hands of divine protection.

Christ, as our great example, submitted his will to the will of the Father; he came not to seek his own glory, but the glory of heaven. He is our Elder Brother in the family of God, the one who sets the example for all his brethren. His spirit we should constantly seek to emulate, submitting to him, consecrating our all to his service. Following closely and conscientiously in his footsteps, we shall take on the mold and similitude of his divine character, and be perfected through his grace to reign with him in glory. Let us be true to our heavenly calling; and while we profess the name of the Heavenly Father, exemplify in our experience the true characteristics of this divine relationship. F. M. W.