NEXT LEVEL OF CHRISTIANITY Text: Romans 8:14-21. Gal. 4:1-7. Gal. 4:1. I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, Gal 3: 7; Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. Gal 3:26. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. Ecc 10:16, Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning! Children dont know their right from their left. Isaiah 3:4-5. And I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them. And the people shall be oppressed, every one by another, and every one by his neighbour: the child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient, and the base against the honourable. FEATURES OF CHILDREN. Immaturity. Heb 5:11-13. Fear. Rom 8:15. Limited knowledge. Rom 8:15,17. Oppressing others without feeling guilty. Isaiah 3:5. Eating without gauge. Eccl 10:16. Pride. Isaiah 3:5; 1Kings 12:1-23. Hosea 11:1, When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. The Israelites were formerly children in Egypt, but when they grown to be sons He called them out. Many Christians are children of God, but could not attain the level of sonship. Whereas, it is sons that can rightly claim their inheritance. I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, God expects every of His children to gtaduate to the next level in Christ, the level of sonship. If a son, then an heir of God. Gal 4:7. It should be remembered that all sons must be children, but that all children not necessarily be sons. Rom 8:14; For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Rom 8:19. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 1 John 3: 1-2. Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 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. Sonship has to do with relationship that translates to characters. In sons of God we discover direct opposite to the features of children. That is, maturity, courage, deep understanding of Gods ways, conscience void of offence before God and man, accepting to be cheated than cheating others, knowing when to eat and when to refrain from eating and cloking oneself with humilty. Sonship is not automatic but a process. It would be attained through: 1. Acceptance. John 1;12. 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: Romans 1:16. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. John 8:36. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. 2. Suffering. Heb. 2:10. For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 3. Discipling. Heb 12: 7-8. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 4. Exercise of sences. Hebrews 5:13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. Hebrews 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. These are sons not children. When Jesus addressed a set of people in John 6: 24 -69 about bread of life they turned back because they were children, but Peter being a son responded positively. John 6:67-69. Many are called, but few are chosen. Mat 22:14. God has many children but He is my Daddy and I am His son by His grace. Conclusion: Romans 8: 18-19. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope. May you be greatly blessed as you move from children to sonship in Jesus name. Bayo Abraham.
Posted on: Mon, 09 Dec 2013 13:09:06 +0000