When by faith we are introduced into the heavenly family, new things become true of us as our happy portion. Addressing myself to my young fellow-believers, let us consider together five of these " new things."

1. The first scripture I would direct you to is Romans 1:7, where we learn that God has given us the new name of " SAINT."

Writing to Christians at Rome, the apostle Paul addressed them as " saints by the call of God." The name of every unregenerate child of Adam is sinner. It matters not what standing he has in the world, be he rich or poor, high or low, God calls him a sinner. As Adam was a sinner, so every person born into his family is a sinner, and nothing can change that but the " blood of Jesus Christ which cleanseth from all sin" (1 John 1:7). The sinner who admits his lost condition, and turns in faith to the Saviour of sinners, is not only saved, but is given the wonderful name of " saint."

Every child of God, then, is a saint by the call of God -not by spiritual attainment or anything he can do, but as Rom. 1:7 says, by the call of God. It behooves us, then, to consider the spiritual import of such an exalted name, so as to walk worthy of it in a world of sin in which our lot is cast. The term "saint" means a holy one ; by God's call we are set apart to Himself, to reflect His holy character. In Hebrews 3 :1 we are called " holy brethren," and the way in which we become that is stated in verse 11 of the 2nd chapter :" For both He that sanctifieth (Christ) and they who are sanctified are all of One." His Father has become our Father; thus we are made holy ones by identification with Christ in His death and resurrection.

What a privilege thus to be a "saint," and what a responsibility also it is to walk according to that dignity. The assembly in Corinth were boasting of their gifts, but the apostle laments, " Ye walk as men " (1 Cor. 3 :4). Is it not sad, when those whom God calls " saints " walk as natural men ? In Eph. 4 :1 Paul exhorts the brethren in Ephesus to " walk worthy of their calling."

2. The new nature. In 2 Peter 1:4 we learn that the believer has a new, a divine nature, implanted in the soul by the Word of God at new birth. Let us consider how we got this new nature, and how it is sustained 1 Peter 1:23 makes it clear that we are born again by the incorruptible Word of God, and James 1:18 tells us that, according to God's own will, the Word of Truth was the means by which we were begotten of God. Without the new birth, there can be no Christianity according to God. But how is this divine nature sustained-how does it grow or develop in the Christian ? This is a point which we do well to ponder. 1 Peter 2 :2 points out the secret of spiritual growth ; it is by drinking in the milk of the Word. Not only is this new nature implanted in us by the Word of God, but it also sustains and develops it.

Notice, that we are exhorted " to desire" it ; that is, to come to it with purpose of appropriation. If we read our Bibles in a formal, cold matter-of-fact way, we shall experience little benefit ; but, as a little babe feeds upon milk, so the Christian should upon the Word of God. The words of Paul in 1 Tim. 4 IS are very instructive on this line :" Meditate upon these things," he writes to Timothy, "give thyself wholly to them, that thy profiting may appear to all." By so doing we shall grow in grace and give good evidence of our calling. There should be no dwarfs in the family of God. God has provided a rich table for us, if we will only avail ourselves of it:there is " milk " for the babes, "strong meat " for the young men, and " Him that is from the beginning " for the fathers-every class is well provided for by our gracious God. As Mephibosheth of old dwelt at Jerusalem, and did eat bread continually at the king's table, so may we. The divine nature will thus develop, and we shall escape the corruption that is in the world through lust.

3. A new standing-" in Christ." If we turn to 2 Cor. 5 :17, we shall see that every child of God is positionally " in Christ;" he has become a " a new creation " and, as such, has a God-given standing, worthy of Him who has called us to His kingdom and glory.

Turning to 1 Cor. 5 :22, we see that the apostle Paul speaks of two families :the natural family, " in Adam;" the second, the spiritual family, " in Christ." Every person born into the world is " in Adam ; " and, as such, death is his portion. But, at conversion, the believer passes out of the Adamic family, and is born into the spiritual family, the family of God. He is now " in Christ ; " belongs to a new creation ; is linked up to a new Head, even to Christ in glory. The death of Christ on the cross has severed the link that bound us to this ruined creation, and His resurrection has introduced the believer into a new sphere entirely ; and as such, it can be said of every believer in Christ, " Old things are passed away, behold, all things are become new." We may well marvel at the amazing grace that has stooped down from heaven to the cross and the grave to meet our deep need as sinners, and has taken us up from this dunghill world to give us a place on the throne of His glory! Oh, what effect this blessed truth should have on our lives down here !

Failure in appending this exalted position in Christ, may account for much of the loose walk and worldliness of many of God's people. If this precious truth is clearly appended, what a powerful motive it becomes to a godly walk here below. If the Christian's standing is not known, can we wonder if the state is also low ? On the other hand, if we think exclusively of our standing, we may forget the practical state which should accompany it; then the Lord is dishonored. Let us keep both in view.

As the natural traits of fallen Adam are reproduced in his offspring, so, in the power of the Holy Spirit, are the virtues of Christ in the life of the Christian. This is the blessed office of the Holy Spirit, to reproduce in us that which was in perfection in our blessed Saviour on earth. If sin be allowed, the Holy Spirit must bring our sin before us. and lead to self-judgment and confession ; then, with heart set on Christ above, and yielding himself to the Spirit's prompting, the saint walks through the world reflecting God's character in holiness, and thus answers to his exalted position. May it be true of us all who are by grace " in Christ.'"

4. A new occupation-serving the Lord. In 1 Thess. 1:9 we see that what characterized the assembly in that city was that they " served the living and true God." Before their conversion, they served dumb idols. Paul, the great apostle of the Gentiles, came to them, preaching Christ, and many turned to God from their idols. They had no more use for them when Christ was enthroned in their hearts by faith ; their one desire was to serve Him whose amazing grace had met their deep need. And let us remember that the Christian is not to be idle down here, but that he is saved to serve. God is righteous, and holy, and we cannot expect God to approve of our service if it is not according to His nature and character. Every child of God is in this way a servant (see John 13:13, 14; Rom. 6:22); and our Saviour-God expects us to yield to Him that loving and intelligent service of which He is in every way worthy.

There is an important point in connection with service which we must note. We must be guided by the Word of God. " In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths" (Prov. 3:6). Paul, the pattern saint in the New Testament, could say that in all his service he was " subject to Christ " (1 Cor. 9:21, New. Trans.); and we do well to pause and ask ourselves, Is what I am doing according to the Word of God ? If we are not brilliant, let us be red ; if we are not gifted, let us be earnest ; if we are not successful, let us at least be faithful. Let us, dear fellow – Christian, imitate those dear saints of Thessalonica, and earn our adorable Master's " Well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."

5. A new hope-our Lord's coming. The hope of the Christian is nothing less than the personal return of our absent Lord to take all His redeemed to the glorious rest above. This hope is first brought before us in John 14:3. There our Lord tells His sorrowful disciples that He would come again and take them to be with Himself. In Phil. 1 :22 we see that at death the believer departs to be with Christ, but the hope of the believer is for the Lord Himself to come for Him, in fulfilment of that promise. There is a danger to be avoided here :Be careful not to make of the Lord's coming a mere doctrine instead of the blessed hope that it is, recalling our wandering affections; it separates us in heart and walk from the defilement of the world through which we wend our pilgrim steps. In Titus 2 :13 the coming of the Lord is called a "blessed hope," for it is then that all our blessings shall be realized. But, even now, may our hearts be occupied with the Blesser Himself, whose death on the cross has given us this blessed, heavenly hope.

In 1 John 3 :3 the Lord's coming is brought before us as a purifying hope ; that is, if it is real in our souls, the thought of His speedy return will lift our hearts above this scene, so that worldly allurements lose their power. The child of God who is really looking for his Lord's return will not be so much concerned about "getting on " as in getting through, the world. When this hope is lost sight of, no wonder that worldliness comes in. It was when the servant said, " My lord delayeth his coming" that he began " to eat and drink with the drunken" (Matt. 24 :48, 49). It was when the saints at Ephesus " left their first love " that they gave up their " first works " (Rev. 2 :1-5) ; and it was when the professing Church gave up her heavenly hope, putting the world's conversion in its place, that she settled down in the world. Then, instead of the Church converting the world, the world, alas, converted the Church. God put the Church in the world as a testimony to the truth; by uniting it to the world, Satan makes its testimony of none effect-nay, it is even a false testimony.

The Lord's word from the glory, "Surely, I come quickly," may soon be fulfilled. We do not look for a " sign," but we listen for '"the shout." Our heavenly Bridegroom who has waited long will give the assembling shout, and call His virgin-bride to her celestial home. Then this scene of temptation will defile our feet no more, and the eternal city with its joy and song will be our place and portion-blessed prospect! May this blessed hope be as bright in our hearts as it was with the saints of Thessalonica, and our hearts will re-echo the prayer of the waiting Bride, " Even so, come, Lord Jesus." J. F. Turnbull