"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not." (1 John 3:1). Another designation that the Bible places on Christians is "sons of God". Let us take a moment to see what that implies.
When we think about the relationship that we have with our earthly fathers, we know that one of their major responsibilities is to provide their children. Spiritually speaking, our spiritual Father provides for all of our needs as well. "For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" (Matthew 7:8-11).
Our Father in heaven has promised to provide for all of our needs. Spiritually; " Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ" (Ephesians 1:3). And physically; "Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:31-33).
Our earthly fathers (if they are doing their job) need to dispense discipline. A father who does not discipline his children does them a grave disservice. From time to time, our heavenly Father disciplines us. "Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." (Hebrews 12:4-11).
Sometimes we undergo trials that serve to strengthen our faith; "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." (James 1:2-4). These trials don’t come upon us as punishment but in order to make us stronger Christians.
Are you able to call God your Father? Have you placed yourself in His Hands?
"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: Which were born, not of blood,
nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." (John
1:11-13).
In order to be a son of God, we must believe on Christ; knowing that belief leads to obedience. (See Salvation)
-- Ralph Price (Streetsboro Church of Christ), January 2002 --
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