Gold Nugget 214 - True Sonship

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      God is the Father of all mankind, and all human creatures, even the most ignorant, the most degraded, and the most vicious are naturally God’s children.  The prodigal son is still a son and can think of “my father.”  Nevertheless, it is clear that St. Paul often speaks of a sonship that does not belong to all men – a sonship which is not enjoyed by natural birth, but must be received by adoption … by a special act of Divine grace. …

      The son is most closely related to his father.  But the disobedient child who forsakes his home is practically dead, for him practically the old relation is severed.  It needs to be restored if he is to enjoy it again.  The son, too … is not the young child in the nursery, but the older child admitted into the society of his father.  The Jew was kept in the nursery separated from God by a “mediator” … and a “tutor”. … The Christian is admitted into close fellowship with God. …

      The son is no longer the child “under guardians and stewards,” … He is a free man enjoying the confidence of his father.  Such are Christians; to them the mind and will of God are revealed; they are free from restraints of formal Law; they are put in positions of trust. …

      Here is the secret.  The fraternity that sprang from the mere enthusiasm of philosophic philanthropy led to the guillotine.  It is only union in Christ that secures true lasting union among men.  As all colours melt into one common brilliancy under the rays of a very strong light, all distinctions vanish when Christ’s presence is deeply felt.

      National distinctions vanish.  The old antagonism of Jew and Gentile disappears. … Social distinctions vanish. … Even distinctions of sex count for nothing.  This meant much in ancient times, when cruel injustice was done to women.  Women are under eternal obligations to the gospel, which has freed them from an unworthy bondage and given them their true place in the world. …

      The son of a king is an heir.  What shall be the inheritance of a Son of God?  To him it is said, “All things are yours.”  The Jew cherished the promises as a hope.  The Christian enjoys the fulfillment of the promises.  As yet the fulfillment is but partial, though enough to be an earnest of better things to come for those sons of God who are being made “meet for the inheritance of the saints in light.”

The Pulpit Commentary, Galatians 3:26-29, Galatians p.178-179, (W. F. Adeney)

Gold Nugget 214

True Sonship

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