Sons of God

Adoption is the acceptance of a stranger into the relationship and privilege of a son. There is no higher love that can be shown by man than in adopting a poor and homeless orphan, and giving him a parent and a home.  The apostle John says that God could bestow upon mankind no more valuable token of His love for man that that we should be adopted into God’s family, and permitted to regard Him as our Father.  “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God” (1 John 3:1).  Mankind has neither claim nor merit that we should be called the sons of God.  It is a gift of great love from God, the Father that we should be permitted to be God’s sons.  This adoption is a gracious gift from God and a precious gift for mankind.

When man remembers how insignificant we are as creations from the hand of God, and how ungrateful, rebellious, and vile we have been as sinners in God’s sight, we should be amazed at the love which moved God to permit adoption into his holy family.  It is a high and honorable privilege and dignity to be “born of God” (1 John 2:29).  The apostle John used the phrase “born of God” to represent those individuals who have accepted God’s plan of salvation and have therefore been adopted as God’s children.  Those who are “born of God” must become like God in character. 

Jesus Christ as the “only begotten Son of God” made it possible for the remainder of mankind to become adopted children of God.  Jesus Christ by his earthly life and death made it possible for mankind to have access to God the Father.  Without Jesus Christ and his sacrifice no one could be a child of God. 

The Israelites of Christ’s day in general did not acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God or the savior of the world.  They never approved of him, his doctrine, or his manner of life.  He came to his own, and his own received him not.  He came to his own, and his own crucified him. 

The world walks by sight and knows not the dignity, the privilege, the enjoyments and hope of the child of God.  The true glory of being God’s children is reserved for our eternal reward in heaven.  The sons of God walk by faith upon this earth and live in the hope of heaven.  The world does not know the happiness and contentment of God’s children.

When Jesus Christ comes a second time, he will be manifested in all his glorified nature.  Our human bodies shall be made like unto his glorious body.  The children of God will witness Christ in all splendor of his infinite majesty. John reveals that we shall be made like Christ; that is in the bodies which we shall receive, in character, in happiness, and in glory.  Our desire as God’s children should be to be glorified with Jesus Christ and share his honor and joy for eternity.