TRUE SONS OF GOD. Faith in Christ elevates and makes one capable of being a son of the living God. As with the natural birth there are certain criteria necessary for one to be a son, so with the spiritual. A spiritual son is one who has been born into the family of the Lord. Jesus said, unless a man is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3:3 He also stated that, ye MUST be born again. John 3:7 There is no religious rite which will produce the new birth. Man may be born again, only by the eternal seed, the Word of the living God. 1 Pet.1:23 Anyone having been birthed by the Word, will take on the nature of the Word and will live according to the Word. Unequivocally, anyone who has been born a son will be obedient to the Word. Having believed on the Lord Jesus they will be baptized. Believing and baptism are spiritual synonyms, they are indelibly linked together in the scriptures. Mark 16:16 Both must be exercised in order for anyone to be saved. Peters, day of Pentecost message verifies this truth. He commanded them to repent and be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ that they might obtain the next foundation in the process of salvation. Acts 2:38 That is, that they might be filled with the Holy Ghost. Acts 2:38
PUTTING ON CHRIST. Being clothed with the Christ of God is also a benefit of both water and Spirit baptism. The putting on and, the wearing of the evidence of having been filled with the Spirit. A life that is separated unto the Lord and determined to do His will. Gal. 3:26 The guidance and leading of the Spirit in all things is an evidence of sonship. Rom. 8:14 This is the spiritual course that leads us to definite sonship in Christ. That precious place where we are made to be the seed of Abraham, the Father of all who believe. A seed that has experienced the glorious power and benefits of the Lord in all the mighty blessings which we have noted in this brief message. Above and beyond that, because we have been made sons, it is pronounced that we are now heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. Sharing with Christ and sharing alike. As He is a son, so are we sons of the Most High. However there is one requirement which we may not appreciate, and that is that as we share the good and the blessed things, we may be called upon to share in His sufferings. Even so, they are minor compared to the agony which He went through for us. When the glory of the inheritance is revealed, the greatest of suffering and agony will be as nothing, compared to the glory which is granted the victor. Rom. 8:17 All that the Lord is, all that Spiritual, eternal life is, all that the glory of the Lord is, is involved in the inheritance that is given to those who are His sons. We are privileged to receive a full and complete share of all that is heavenly and everlasting. The Lord will share completely of Himself and all that He is, in His great and marvelous character. Nothing will be withheld from those who partake of eternal inheritance. The beggarly elements of this world are insignificant when compared to that which will be received by every son of the most high. Rev. 21:7.:END: