Sons of God by A. S. Hutchins

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 22, 1873

Sons of God.

By A. S. Hutchins

“BEHOLD, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.” 1 John 3:1. The distinguished honor conferred upon the fallen race of becoming the sons of God, should awaken in us the most profound admiration of his amazing love and goodness, and lead to unceasing gratitude and continued praise of his worthy name.

A just appreciation of our unworthiness, and of the inconceivable pity and compassion of the Father in the gift of his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish but have everlasting life, would constrain us to yield our hearts and lives in the sweetest submission to do his divine will, and to rejoice in his delightful service. The blood-bought, exalted privilege of becoming sons of God is not bestowed upon any by reason alone of a correct theory of the plan of salvation.

The transforming power of God’s grace must be experienced in the heart: it must be cleansed from sin: it must be made conformable to his will in all things, rendering cheerful obedience to his sacred word, and to the influence of the Holy Spirit.

Christ came unto his own, and his own received him not. “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1:12, 13.

Here we learn that those who understandingly received Christ at his first advent, and believed upon his name, receiving that adoption whereby we cry, Abba, Father, were born of the will of God. They passed from death unto life. How great the change! And how unspeakably great the consequent blessings—recognized in Heaven and upon earth as sons of God!

Again, if we retain the relationship of the sons of God, by adoption, we have a work to do in overcoming the world, the inclinations of fallen nature, and the powers of darkness. Says Jesus: “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy: but I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in Heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect.” Matt. 5:43-48.

Reader, as you desire an inheritance with all the redeemed saints, as you desire a right in the kingdom of God, there forever to be recognized as his son, and share in the felicity and joy of an endless life, free from sin, be in earnest to overcome. “He that overcometh, shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” Rev. 21:7. A. S. HUTCHINS.

Otsego, July 9, 1873.