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Power Is Given Us To Become The Sons Of God, January 3
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of
God, even to them that believe on his name.
John 1:12
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Divine sonship is not something that we gain of ourselves. Only to those who
receive Christ as their Saviour is given the power to become sons and daughters
of God. The sinner cannot, by any power of his own, rid himself of sin. For the
accomplishment of this result, he must look to a higher Power. John exclaimed,
“Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” Christ alone
has power to cleanse the heart. He who is seeking for forgiveness and acceptance
can say only,— “Nothing in my hand I bring;
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Simply to Thy cross I cling.”
But the promise of sonship is made to
all
who “believe on his name.” Every
one who comes to Jesus in faith will receive pardon
The religion of Christ transforms the heart. It makes the worldly-minded man
heavenly-minded. Under its influence the selfish man becomes unselfish, because
this is the character of Christ. The dishonest, scheming man becomes upright, so
that it is second nature to him to do to others as he would have others do to him.
The profligate is changed from impurity to purity. He forms correct habits; for the
gospel of Christ has become to him a savor of life unto life.
God was to be manifest in Christ, “reconciling the world unto himself.” Man
had become so degraded by sin that it was impossible for him, in himself, to come
into harmony with Him whose nature is purity and goodness. But Christ, after
having redeemed man from the condemnation of the law, could impart divine
power, to unite with human effort. Thus by repentance toward God and faith in
Christ, the fallen children of Adam might once more become “sons of God.”
When a soul receives Christ, he receives power to live the life of Christ.
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