THE SONS OF GOD
Most Christians today believe that ALL CHRISTIANS are the SONS OF GOD. THIS IS NOT SO.
ALL CHRISTIANS have been offered the OPPORTUNITY to BECOME A SON OF GOD, but comparatively few of them will take advantage of that opportunity.
First, we have to KNOW that there is a DIFFERENCE between "run-of-the-mill" Christians and those who are "striving for the masteries" in their relationship to Jesus Christ.
This DIFFERENCE is described in many ways in the Bible.
John 1:12 But as many as RECEIVED HIM, (became a Christian) to them gave he POWER (privilege, opportunity) to become (by Spiritual Development) the (Matured) sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name:
Luke 8:11-15 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. They on the rock [are they], which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of [this] life, AND BRING NO FRUIT TO PERFECTION. But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, HAVING HEARD THE WORD, KEEP [IT], AND BRING FORTH FRUIT WITH PATIENCE.
Matthew, in his writing about the parable, uses language which is more easily understood when describing the difference which is seen in the way people relate to the Word of God after they become Christians.
Psalms 119:130 The ENTRANCE OF THY WORDS giveth LIGHT; it giveth UNDERSTANDING unto the simple.
Matthew 13:18-23 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. When any one heareth the WORD OF THE KINGDOM, AND UNDERSTANDETH [IT] NOT, then cometh the wicked [one], and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that HEARETH THE WORD, AND ANON WITH JOY RECEIVETH IT; Yet hath he NOT ROOT IN HIMSELF, BUT DURETH FOR A WHILE: FOR WHEN TRIBULATION OR PERSECUTION ARISETH BECAUSE OF THE WORD, by and by he is offended. He also that received seed among the thorns is he that HEARETH THE WORD; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, CHOKE THE WORD, AND HE BECOMETH UNFRUITFUL. But he that received seed into the good ground is he that HEARETH THE WORD, AND UNDERSTANDETH [IT]; WHICH ALSO BEARETH FRUIT, AND BRINGETH FORTH, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
II Corinthians 4:6 For God, WHO COMMANDED THE LIGHT TO SHINE OUT OF DARKNESS, hath shined in our hearts, to [give] the LIGHT OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE GLORY OF GOD IN THE FACE OF JESUS CHRIST.
Matthew 25:7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; FOR OUR LAMPS (not enough light for the task at hand) ARE GONE OUT. But the wise answered, saying, [Not so]; lest there be not enough for us and you: BUT GO YE RATHER TO THEM THAT SELL, AND BUY FOR YOURSELVES. (The "light" given by the Word of God is NOT A GIFT, but something we acquire by APPLYING THE WORD TO OUR LIVES.)
UNDERSTANDING IS THE FRUIT (result) OF OBEDIENCE.
THE SONS OF GOD
Most Christians today believe that ALL CHRISTIANS are the SONS OF GOD. THIS IS NOT SO.
ALL CHRISTIANS have been offered the OPPORTUNITY to BECOME A SON OF GOD, but comparatively few of them will take advantage of that opportunity.
First, we have to KNOW that there is a DIFFERENCE between "run-of-the-mill" Christians and those who are "striving for the masteries" in their relationship to Jesus Christ.
This DIFFERENCE is described in many ways in the Bible.
John 1:12 But as many as RECEIVED HIM, (became a Christian) to them gave he POWER (privilege, opportunity) to become (by Spiritual Development) the (Matured) sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name:
Luke 8:11-15 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. They on the rock [are they], which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of [this] life, AND BRING NO FRUIT TO PERFECTION. But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, HAVING HEARD THE WORD, KEEP [IT], AND BRING FORTH FRUIT WITH PATIENCE.
Matthew, in his writing about the parable, uses language which is more easily understood when describing the difference which is seen in the way people relate to the Word of God after they become Christians.
Psalms 119:130 The ENTRANCE OF THY WORDS giveth LIGHT; it giveth UNDERSTANDING unto the simple.
Matthew 13:18-23 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. When any one heareth the WORD OF THE KINGDOM, AND UNDERSTANDETH [IT] NOT, then cometh the wicked [one], and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that HEARETH THE WORD, AND ANON WITH JOY RECEIVETH IT; Yet hath he NOT ROOT IN HIMSELF, BUT DURETH FOR A WHILE: FOR WHEN TRIBULATION OR PERSECUTION ARISETH BECAUSE OF THE WORD, by and by he is offended. He also that received seed among the thorns is he that HEARETH THE WORD; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, CHOKE THE WORD, AND HE BECOMETH UNFRUITFUL. But he that received seed into the good ground is he that HEARETH THE WORD, AND UNDERSTANDETH [IT]; WHICH ALSO BEARETH FRUIT, AND BRINGETH FORTH, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
II Corinthians 4:6 For God, WHO COMMANDED THE LIGHT TO SHINE OUT OF DARKNESS, hath shined in our hearts, to [give] the LIGHT OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE GLORY OF GOD IN THE FACE OF JESUS CHRIST.
Matthew 25:7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; FOR OUR LAMPS (not enough light for the task at hand) ARE GONE OUT. But the wise answered, saying, [Not so]; lest there be not enough for us and you: BUT GO YE RATHER TO THEM THAT SELL, AND BUY FOR YOURSELVES. (The "light" given by the Word of God is NOT A GIFT, but something we acquire by APPLYING THE WORD TO OUR LIVES.)
UNDERSTANDING IS THE FRUIT (result) OF OBEDIENCE.
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