“He 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:” (John 1:11-12).
These are they who have received God. However, it isn’t enough to merely receive God; God must, in turn, receive them (review Hebrews 12:5-7). And when God receives one such, he chastens them. He tries them in the furnace of affliction that they might be refined as silver and gold.
“Wherefore come out from among them [i.e., unbelievers, infidels and idol worshipers], and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing [temples with idols] ; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” (2 Corinthians 6:17-18).
Again, we see God taking the role of father (Father) to us, calling us his sons and daughters . . . if we separate ourselves from the unbelievers, etc.
As far as separating ourselves from idol worshipers, we might want to consider exactly what an idol is. In the Old Testament they were most often graven images from stone, metal or wood, which they worshiped and paid homage to.
In modern parlance, we may say idols are those things we spend most of our time and energy on—whether it’s money or the pursuit of money, sports, computers, entertainment (television, movies, music, computers, and so forth)—even family! (I can see hackles rising with that last one!)
But here’s what Jesus said about that:
“He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” (Matthew 10:37).
One would assume wife or husband are also included in that list. Even so, that’s a pretty powerful statement and one that is not generally heard over the pulpit, I think. But remember the first and great commandment:
“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” (Matthew 22:37).
First, love God and his Christ, then love family.
“And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” (Matthew 22:39).
Family is the most intimate neighbor, wouldn’t you say? Anyway, I didn’t say it; Jesus did. Discipleship is not easy for those who do not put God and his Christ first.
I’m sure there will be many who disagree with my conclusions. However, you’re welcome to make comments and we can discuss them.
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God” (Romans 8:14-16).
When we are truly led by the Spirit of God, we love God first and foremost above all other things. Then we are sons and daughters of God, having received the spirit of adoption. And the “Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God”.
The Greek word for adoption implies sonship in respect to God. (James Strong, Greek Dictionary of the New Testament, Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, Abingdon Press, 1973.)
Basically, it means we are once again accepted and connected to God as we were before the fall of Adam and Eve—literal sons and daughters of God!
“To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye 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.” (Galatians 4:5-7).
Once again, we see ourselves as being heirs of God through Christ, even joint-heirs.
“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” (Romans 8:16-17).
And what has Christ inherited?
“All things that the Father hath are mine” (John 16:15).
That doesn’t leave much out, does it? And if we are “heirs of God through Christ,” even “joint-heirs”, what, then, do we inherit?
“He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son” (Revelation 21:7).
All things! But what are all things?
“All things that the Father hath.”
Even as Christ received all things of the Father, so also will we receive all things of him, being joint-heirs with Christ! What greater reward could we possibly imagine! Think about what this implies! But we must first overcome. But what exactly is it we need to overcome?
“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” (1 John 5:4-5).
“Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21).
“. . . I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one.” (1 John 2:13).
We must overcome the world by faith in Jesus Christ. We must overcome evil by doing good. In doing so, we shall overcome the evil one, even Satan and his myriads of dark angels.
We started out as sons and daughters of God. When the Adam and Eve and the world fell, we fell with it. We can once again be accepted as pure sons and daughters of God through the atonement of Jesus Christ and faith in him. And with Christ, we can receive all things the Father has. There are not words sufficient to describe what that entails.
“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9).
What more is there to say? Big rewards: big expectations.
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