As children of God, we are not just ordinary children. Nor do we have an ordinary Father. And the privileges and responsibilities we have as children are not exactly run-of-the-mill either. A Father Who, despite our many faults and failures, calls us His dearly beloved children. A Father Who constantly, faithfully, and unfailingly forgives and yearns to wrap His loving arms around us and hug us to bits. A Father Who, excuse the euphemism, is absolutely, totally, emphatically crazy about us. And why? Because He made us. And because in the beginning He made us perfect, in His Own image and likeness, He can see not only what we once were before sin etched it’s ugly marks on our character and lives, but He can see what we can become, should we repent and turn away from sin, and allow Him the opportunity to recreate us. An extraordinary Father indeed. ’Gracious and merciful, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity, transgression and sin…(Exodus 34:6,7).
John said, ‘Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called the children of God’.(1 John 3:1.)
And astonishingly the invitation is open to all.
‘For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.’ Jn 3:16
‘And the Spirit and the bride say come. And let him that heareth say come. and let him that is athirst, come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.’Rev 22:17.
So God does not love us because of who we are, nor because of anything we have or have not done; but rather because of who He is, and what He can make of us and accomplish through us.
But as we take great pleasure and joy in serving and loving our heavenly Father, let us remember that along with the wonderful privileges and advantages, are some very solemn and awesome responsibilities.
Because of the high and exalted position of our Father, so our responsibilities reflect the place He holds as King and ruler of the universe, and the potential damage that can result from our failure in living up to them. Just as all the glory goes to Him for our well doing, so also do we bring disrepute upon His name and character each time we fail to live up to the standards that He Himself laid down for us. Our Father’s enemies will never fail to take every advantage of every opportunity to malign the nature of God thus attempting to undermine His influence for good in the world.
So, who are we again?
Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15 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.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 ¶ 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.
Galatians 4:5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
6 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.
I thought about the advantages of being an earthly prince, and then transferred them to the spiritual realm. I may be taking some liberties, but judge for yourselves. Maybe you can think of more.
1. We are able to take on the very nature of our Father, and at the appropriate time, even immortality.
2 Peter 1:4 Rom. 8:29 1 John 5: 11,12.
2. Free access to the royal wardrobe.
Isa. 61:10 Zech. 3: 1-5 Math. 6: 28-30 Eph. 6: 13-17 Rev.7:9
3.The very best healthcare system.
Gen. 1:29 Exod. 15:26 Ps 91 Ps.103:3
4. Friends in high places.
Jer. 9: 23,24. 29:11-13. John 14: 6,7, 16-26. 17: 3,20-23. Rom. 8: 9 Coll. 1 :27
5. Insight into the secrets of government; and of those who seek to usurp His power, the enemy.
Ps. 25:14 Isa 14: 12-15 45:19 Dan 2:20-22Amos 3:7 John 10:10 1Cor 2: 12-16
2 Thess 2: 3,4.
6. The privilege of sharing the good news of the gospel, extending the invitation into all the world.
Math 22: 9 Mark 16:15 Acts 1: 7,8 9: 15 Eph 3: 6-9 2 Tim 2: 24-26 4: 1-5
1 Peter 2: 9,10 3:15. Rev 14: 6-12.
7. The best education.
Mark 4: 11 Eph 1: 17,18 Coll 3:16 Heb. 4:12 2 Tim 3: 15-17
8. An unending supply of riches.
Math 6: 25-34 Luke 11: 5-13 Eph. 2: 4-7
9. A top class highly trained and motivated security organization
2 Kings 6: 15-17 Psalm 91:11 103:20 1104:4Math 18:10 Heb. 1: 14.
10. Free unlimited access to the very throne room of God. Our relationship with Him is not long distance,
but immediate through Jesus Who ministers now in the heavenly sanctuary on our behalf.
Eph 2:18 Hebrews 4: 16, 8: 1,2 9: 24 10: 19-22
11. International travel
Math 8:11 Luke 13:29
12 A palace for home.
Jn 14: 1-3. Rev 21: 1-3
John said, ‘Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called the children of God’.(1 John 3:1.)
And astonishingly the invitation is open to all.
‘For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.’ Jn 3:16
‘And the Spirit and the bride say come. And let him that heareth say come. and let him that is athirst, come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.’Rev 22:17.
So God does not love us because of who we are, nor because of anything we have or have not done; but rather because of who He is, and what He can make of us and accomplish through us.
But as we take great pleasure and joy in serving and loving our heavenly Father, let us remember that along with the wonderful privileges and advantages, are some very solemn and awesome responsibilities.
Because of the high and exalted position of our Father, so our responsibilities reflect the place He holds as King and ruler of the universe, and the potential damage that can result from our failure in living up to them. Just as all the glory goes to Him for our well doing, so also do we bring disrepute upon His name and character each time we fail to live up to the standards that He Himself laid down for us. Our Father’s enemies will never fail to take every advantage of every opportunity to malign the nature of God thus attempting to undermine His influence for good in the world.
So, who are we again?
Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15 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.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 ¶ 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.
Galatians 4:5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
6 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.
I thought about the advantages of being an earthly prince, and then transferred them to the spiritual realm. I may be taking some liberties, but judge for yourselves. Maybe you can think of more.
1. We are able to take on the very nature of our Father, and at the appropriate time, even immortality.
2 Peter 1:4 Rom. 8:29 1 John 5: 11,12.
2. Free access to the royal wardrobe.
Isa. 61:10 Zech. 3: 1-5 Math. 6: 28-30 Eph. 6: 13-17 Rev.7:9
3.The very best healthcare system.
Gen. 1:29 Exod. 15:26 Ps 91 Ps.103:3
4. Friends in high places.
Jer. 9: 23,24. 29:11-13. John 14: 6,7, 16-26. 17: 3,20-23. Rom. 8: 9 Coll. 1 :27
5. Insight into the secrets of government; and of those who seek to usurp His power, the enemy.
Ps. 25:14 Isa 14: 12-15 45:19 Dan 2:20-22Amos 3:7 John 10:10 1Cor 2: 12-16
2 Thess 2: 3,4.
6. The privilege of sharing the good news of the gospel, extending the invitation into all the world.
Math 22: 9 Mark 16:15 Acts 1: 7,8 9: 15 Eph 3: 6-9 2 Tim 2: 24-26 4: 1-5
1 Peter 2: 9,10 3:15. Rev 14: 6-12.
7. The best education.
Mark 4: 11 Eph 1: 17,18 Coll 3:16 Heb. 4:12 2 Tim 3: 15-17
8. An unending supply of riches.
Math 6: 25-34 Luke 11: 5-13 Eph. 2: 4-7
9. A top class highly trained and motivated security organization
2 Kings 6: 15-17 Psalm 91:11 103:20 1104:4Math 18:10 Heb. 1: 14.
10. Free unlimited access to the very throne room of God. Our relationship with Him is not long distance,
but immediate through Jesus Who ministers now in the heavenly sanctuary on our behalf.
Eph 2:18 Hebrews 4: 16, 8: 1,2 9: 24 10: 19-22
11. International travel
Math 8:11 Luke 13:29
12 A palace for home.
Jn 14: 1-3. Rev 21: 1-3
