Foundations of Faith
BLESSINGS OF SALVATION (IV)
Wasn’t the prodigal son surprised when his father received him back as a full-fledged son! He would have been quite happy just to be a servant in his father’s household (Luke 15:19-24). Wouldn’t you and I be quite content to be rescued from the lake of fire and to live eternally as God’s servants? But God has graciously planned that we should enjoy a relationship with Himself far superior to that of servant and Master.
“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us that we should be called the [children] of God” (1 John 3:1; John 1:12). We have been “born again” (John 3:7; 1 Pet. 1:23), born into God’s family so that He is our Father and we are His children.
In addition, God has made us His sons (Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:5; Eph. 1:5; the KJV does not always have the correct translation). God graciously calls us by the same name-sons-as He calls the One who was eternally with Him in heaven (John 1:18). The Lord Jesus, after His resurrection, calls us His “brethren” (John 20:17; Heb. 2:11). God has purposed that we, as His sons, should “be conformed to the image of His Son” (Rom. 8:29). Also, as sons we are heirs with Christ of all that God has given to His Son (Eph. 1:11, 14,22). Recall from the Jun97 issue the link between God’s predestination and our position as sons and heirs.
In summary, as children we enjoy a close relationship with our Father; as sons we share an eternal inheritance with God’s Son.
Running the Race
POSSESSING OUR POSSESSION (II)
As noted in the Oct97 issue, Christ shed His precious blood to redeem us from slavery to idols, heathen religions, sin, and/or lusts and pleasures. We have been set free to serve, worship, and obey God.
Whenever we are tempted to yield to fleshly lusts or return to worldly pleasures and amusements, let us remember that Christ shed His blood to deliver us from that kind of life. To go back to these things is almost like saying that the shedding of Christ’s blood did not accomplish a thing.
We possess the blessing of being redeemed when we stay clear of the things to which we were once enslaved.
How do we possess or make good for ourselves the blessing of being made the children of God? Perhaps we can get some pointers by eavesdropping for a few moments on a father and his son who are taking a walk together.
Daddy: What did you learn in school today, Bobby?
Bobby: I learned the difference between “through” and “threw.” Oh yes, and we just started a unit on long division. I think it’s going to be hard. But I’ve already started praying that the Lord will help me to understand it.
Daddy: Good for you, Bobby! Let us try a simple problem while we are walking. How about 156 divided by 12?
After a few moments of thought, Bobby notices a big, evil-looking man walking down the sidewalk in their direction. Bobby snuggles closer to his father and watches the man warily. His father puts his arm around him. The man passes without incident.
Bobby: That reminds me. There is this seventh-grader, Butch, who rides on the school bus. He always teases me about my glasses and calls me a nerd and sometimes says bad things about you and Mom. What should I do?
Daddy: What have you been doing so far, son?
Bobby: I just try to pretend I am reading a book and don’t hear him.
Daddy: And what does Butch do then?
Bobby: He usually gives up and tries bothering someone else.
Daddy: It sounds like you are doing just fine. Can you think of a Bible verse that says something about this situation?
Bobby: Umm, something about loving your enemies or something?
Daddy: Yes, very good, Bobby. And it says, “Do good to those who hate you and pray for them.” So you should try to remember to pray for Butch that he might be saved. If you can find out when his birthday is, maybe you could surprise him by giving him a bag of M & M’s and a gospel tract. And by the way, Bobby, haven’t you been teasing your little brother quite a bit lately? Do you think the Lord is pleased with that?
Bobby: No. (He is silent for a couple of minutes.) Daddy, what causes an eclisp?
Daddy: The word is “eclipse,” Bobby, and it is caused when the earth gets between the sun and the moon, keeping the sun’s rays from reflecting off the moon.”
Bobby: Ohh, I think I understand now. (Pause.) Daddy, I’m tired. Will you carry me?
Daddy: You are getting pretty big for that, but I’ll put you on my shoulders for a little bit.
A few minutes later Bobby is walking again. They are heading back toward home.
Bobby: What is that shiny thing on the other side of the road? (He starts to dart across the street.)
Daddy (as an oncoming car comes to a screeching halt): Stop!!
Bobby’s Dad gives him a stern reminder about the importance of looking both ways before crossing the street. Before long, they are back home again.
Our walk with our heavenly Father has some parallels with Bobby’s walk with his father. We learn to talk with God, bringing every matter to Him, no matter how huge or how trivial, whether a success or a problem, a happy time or a bad time. We go to God for wisdom and guidance with respect to difficult decisions or situations. We turn to Him for help and protection in times of perceived danger. And even if God knows there is no real danger, He comforts rather than rebukes us. When we are exhausted, either physically or emotionally or mentally, we pray to God for the strength to get through another day. If we leave His side for a moment, He may shout out a warning to us, though it may not be quite as obvious as Daddy’s shout of “Stop!” to Bobby.
All of us who trust Christ for salvation are born-again children of God. May each one of us learn to enjoy walking and talking with our heavenly Father as much as with our earthly parents. In this way we will possess our possession of being children of our Father in heaven.
Assignment 14: The following is a review quiz based on the 1997 issues of GROWING. Please refer back to the indicated issue when answering each question.
1. (Jan.) In what ways was the sacrificial death of Christ of greater value than animal sacrifices?
2. (Feb.) (a) Write out two verses, one that speaks of propitiation and one that refers to the concept of substitution. (b) What is the difference between propitiation and substitution?
3. (Mar.) Give two reasons why God could not have punished anyone but His own Son for our sins.
4. (Apr.) What is “saving faith”? Write out a verse that illustrates the faith that saves.
5. (May) Write out three verses that illustrate the three aspects of salvation.
6. (June) Write out two verses that speak of God’s election or choosing of people to be saved.
7. (July) Write out a verse that tells us what we need to take and put on when Satan is trying to make us doubt our salvation.
8. (Aug.) (a) Write out two verses that speak of believers who had doubts. (b) What should we do when we have doubts and questions?
9. (Sept.) How does our being justified differ from our being forgiven?
10. (Oct.) Write out a verse that tells how we are redeemed and a verse that tells from what we have been redeemed (or in what way we were in slavery).
11. (Nov.) What does one have to do in order to be considered by God as sanctified or holy?
12. (Dec.) What is the difference between being made a “child of God” and being made a “son of God”?