James Smith

"You are sons of the living God!" Hosea 1:10

How much stress is laid by some, on their relation to certain great and noble people. If it is an honor to be related to the noble, the rich, or the good — then what must be the honor of the Christian! "Beloved," said the Apostle, "now are we the sons of God." And, "You are all the children of God by faith in Jesus Christ."

To have God for our Father, is the greatest honor conceivable, and it is an infinite source of comfort and joy.

For if God is our Father — He will love us with a strong and tender love! He may try us and hide His face from us, to correct us for our follies; but He will still love us. Nothing shall separate His child from His love, or sever the bond that unites us to Himself.

If God is our Father — He will bear with our numerous and painful infirmities, because we are children, putting the best construction upon everything. For, "Like as a Father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who love Him. He knows our frame. He remembers that we are dust." He will accept our imperfect services, because we are but children. He knows our weakness, ignorance, and failings; and He also knows our desire to please Him. And when we can only desire, He accepts the will for the deed, saying, "If there be first a willing mind it is accepted, according to what a man has; and not according to what he has not."

If God is our Father — He will provide for and take care of us; making provision for us on earth, while He reserves our portion for Heaven. Will an earthly Father leave his child to lack — while he has plenty by him, and can supply him with the greatest ease? He will not! Neither will our Heavenly Father; but He will supply all our needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

If God is our Father — He will also protect us from all evils, spiritual and temporal. Sin shall not have dominion over us, Satan shall not overcome us, the world shall not destroy us — for God will protect us. He will keep us by His power, through faith unto salvation.

If God is our Father — He will reveal His mind and will to us for our comfort and salvation. He may hide the mysteries of the kingdom from the wise and prudent — but He will reveal them unto His babes. (Matthew 11:25.) He will send the Comforter, even the Spirit of truth, who will guide us into all truth.

If God is our Father — He will give us freedom of access into His presence with confidence — so that we may carry all our sins, sorrows, troubles, and temptations to Him, and lay them at His feet; feeling that we have to do with a Father, one who loves us, pities us, and delights to bless us.

If God is our Father — He will bless us with freedom; setting us free from condemnation, and giving us "liberty to enjoy His Word, ordinances, and presence.

If God is our Father — He will make all things work together for our good. Good things — such as mercies, ordinances, and comforts; Bad things — such as sickness, poverty, reproach, persecution, bereavements, death — all shall work our good, and issue in our welfare.

If we are children of God, we are heirs of every promise in His book — and joint-heirs with Jesus Himself! He will give us a Father's blessing, a blessing worthy of His greatness, majesty, and glory. And He will keep us safe in every danger, from every foe; so that we shall never perish — but possess and enjoy eternal life.

Dear reader, are you a child of God? Have you received the Spirit of adoption, crying, Abba, Father, in your heart? Do you love Jesus? If so, all these privileges are yours — along with others too numerous to mention. Yes, all things are yours and you are Christ's!