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We Belong to the Royal Family, December 7
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what
we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like
him; for we shall see him as he is.
1 John 3:2
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Can any earthly promotion confer honor equal to this—to be sons of
God, children of the heavenly King, members of the royal family? ... The
nobility of earth are but men; they die, and return to dust; and there is no
lasting satisfaction in their praise and honor. But the honor that comes
from God is lasting. To be heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, is to be
entitled to unsearchable riches—treasures of such value that in comparison
with them the gold and silver, the gems and precious stones of earth, sink
into insignificance.
To have fellowship with the Father and His Son Jesus Christ is to be
ennobled and elevated, and made a partaker of joys unspeakable and full
of glory. Food, clothing, station, and wealth may have their value; but to
have a connection with God and to be a partaker of His divine nature is of
priceless value. Our lives should be hid with Christ in God; and although
it “doth not yet appear what we shall be,” “when Christ, who is our life,
shall appear,” “we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” The
princely dignity of the Christian character will shine forth as the sun, and
the beams of light from the face of Christ will be reflected upon those who
have purified themselves even as He is pure. The privilege of becoming
sons of God is cheaply purchased, even at the sacrifice of everything we
possess, be it life itself.
When John in his mortal state beheld the glory of God, he fell as one
dead; he was not able to endure the sight. But when the children of God
shall have put on immortality, they will “see him as he is.” They will
stand before the throne, accepted in the Beloved. All their sins have been
blotted out, all their transgressions borne away. Now they can look upon
the undimmed glory of the throne of God. They have been partakers with
Christ in His sufferings, they have been workers together with Him in the
plan of redemption, and they are partakers with Him in the joy of seeing
souls saved in the kingdom of God, there to praise God through all eternity.
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