Are You a Child of God?
By I. A. Crane
We Are Liable to Deception—Is It Possible for Us to Know?—The Test to Be Applied MANY good people are perplexed to know whether they are really children of God, when it is their blessed privilege to know that God accepts them, and watches over them with tenderest care. There are others who content themselves with the hope that all is well, when their heedless disregard of God’s word makes their ways and even their prayers an abomination to God. TESTED BY THE WORD AND THE SPIRIT
Why should any expect that God will pay heed to their words when they pray, if they pay no heed to His word before they pray? But how may we know of a surety that we are children of God? Thank God, we need not be in doubt. The most positive evidence is given, by which we may know that our very names are enrolled in heaven’s family record book, and that the Son of God is “not ashamed to call us brethren.” Hear the Father’s message to us: “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” Rom. 8:14. Surely all may know whether they are allowing themselves to be led by the Spirit of God. This is the test. Are you led by the Spirit of God? But many who have no love for God’s word, and are content to remain ignorant of its teaching, boastfully declare: “I know that I am a child of God. The Spirit leads me day by day. Praise God, I know I am saved.” But, my brother, what evidence have you that you are led by the Spirit of God? At this very point, there is greatest danger of deception. Have you not read the warning: “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God”? I John 4:1. There is a good Spirit and there are wicked spirits. Be not deceived. If you are led by the Spirit of God, you will surely be led to do what the word of God says. God’s Spirit and God’s word will always agree. God did not give us His word to tell us how to live, and then send His Spirit to lead us to do something else. Be assured that the Spirit of truth and the Word of truth will never be found in conflict. It is not enough to feel that you are moved by an unseen power. It is only when you are led by the good Spirit, that you can know that you are a child of God. Are you honestly and sincerely walking in the light of God’s truth? Are you living up to what you honestly believe to be your duty, not only to God, but to all mankind? Are you searching the Scriptures daily, hungering to understand more about God, and better how to live for Him? Have you made peace with God by confessing your faults and sins to Him? Are you sincerely sorry that you have sinned against God, and have you asked Him for Christ’s sake to forgive you? Have you made peace with all mankind by confessing your faults, and making restitution to those whom you have wronged? Are you willing to give up all things to please your Father in heaven? If so, then rest assured that God, who gave His only Son for your salvation, will not reject that which He has purchased at so great a cost. He has commissioned all the angels to watch over and protect you. Ps. 34:7; 91:11; Heb. 1:14. Some may say: “I do long to serve God with all my heart; but I sin, and bring grief505to myself and others. How can I find peace with God?” If you have sins, know of a surety that they must be overcome, or you are lost forever. Yet do not despair. You are weak, but you have an almighty Saviour. Delay not a moment, but flee to Him for help now. Every moment wasted gives the enemy greater advantage, and lessens your hope of victory. You may know that He who spoke the worlds into existence, is your Saviour. “He shall save His people from their sins.” Matt. 1:21. He died to convince you that He longs to save you. Do not be satisfied to be overcome by sin, while you have such a mighty Saviour longing to help you. You must overcome or be lost. The victory must be gained. The promises are only to those who overcome; and you have no promise of salvation to-morrow. To-day—now—is the accepted time. Do not be discouraged. He who said to the loathsome leper, “I will; be thou clean,” will not spurn you when you humbly entreat Him to save you from your sins. And He who was able to cleanse the body and blood and being of that foul leper, is abundantly able to subdue your wicked habits and passions, and to make you clean indeed. “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” Never be content till He has made you free from the power of sin. See John 8:34-36. LET IT DRIVE YOU TO YOUR HELPER
If you do not reach purity of life as quickly as you had hoped, learn from this experience how fearful and lasting are the effects of sin, and that you have no time to lose. Let this drive you at once, and with still greater earnestness and determination, to Him who alone can save you. Never, never risk a day or an hour under condemnation. You can never hope to be saved while you are under condemnation. What if your life should end thus? Find peace to-day, whatever be the cost. Confess your sins, and make it right at any sacrifice. Let the work of repentance and confession be deep and thorough. The greater the cost—the more your proud heart is humbled—in making amends to those whom your sins have wronged, the surer you will be never to repeat the wrong in time to come. By thorough repentance and confession and restitution, sins are rooted out of the life. This is the Spirit’s remedy for sin. It is then that atonement is made by the blood of Christ. “The righteousness of Christ will never cover one cherished sin.” Does the Spirit, through the word of God, lead you to confess? Do not delay. Let Him lead you. Does He lead you to make restitution? Let Him lead you now. When the Spirit has led you to do these things, and you continue to be led, you bear the credentials of a child of God. The Spirit then bears witness with your spirit, that you are a child of God, and an heir of the kingdom. Rom. 8:16, 17. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Verse 1. You will in this way find the peace that passes all understanding.