The Condition of Sonship
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 2 Corinthians 6:17, 18.
Do you desire to become the sons and daughters of the Most High? Here is stated the condition of this great privilege. Come out, be separate, touch not the unclean. You cannot keep the fellowship of the world, participate in its pleasures, identify yourself with its interests, and still be the sons of God. Says John, “The world knoweth us not, because it knew him not” (1 John 3:1). But shall we let the desire for the favor of our Lord’s enemies weigh against our accepting the conditions of salvation? . . .
There are great things expected from the sons and daughters of God. I look upon the youth of today, and my heart yearns over them. What possibilities are open before them! If they sincerely seek to learn of Christ, He will give them wisdom, as He gave wisdom to Daniel. . . . Let the youth try to appreciate the privilege that may be theirs, to be directed by the unerring wisdom of God. . . .
It is thought a great honor to be invited into the presence of a king of this earth. But let us consider the amazing privilege that is proffered to us. If we obey the requirements of God we may become the sons and daughters of the King of the universe. Through a crucified and risen Saviour we may be filled with the fruits of righteousness, and be fitted to shine in the courts of the King of kings through unending ages. The world does not know the exaltation of the sons and daughters of the Most High. Those around them do not see that the humble, self-denying spirit, the patient meekness of heart, has any extraordinary value. They did not know or appreciate Christ. . . . They could not understand Him; and the greater our likeness to the divine character of our Lord, the more we shall be misunderstood by the world. The more we come into fellowship with Christ and heaven, the less will be our fellowship with the world, for we are not of the world.
That I May Know Him p. 310
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray that God will lead in a situation and bring good out of it. Marie
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Dear Friends,
Yesterday, I had to go to the Federal Courthouse for jury duty. There were about forty others who were also called. After being given some written material to read and watching a film on what was expected, we were ushered into the courtroom. There the judge spoke to us and then twelve of us were called up to the jury box. The judge again gave us directions regarding the questions we would be asked. One by one, we were examined. Because I had worked for seventeen years in the court system, the defense attorney asked that I be dismissed. After I left, I am sure that there were others who were also let go, but that finally a jury was picked.
It reminded me of the investigative judgment going on in Heaven and the executive judgment that will one day take place. Daniel saw the Heavenly judgment. “I beheld till the thrones were cast down [placed, R.V.], and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head like the pure wool: His throne was like the fiery flame, and His wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him: thousand thousands ministered unto Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.” Dan. 7:9,10. John saw three angels circling the earth with the proclamation of that solemn event. “And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come: and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” Rev. 14:6,7. Paul tells us, “For we must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ; that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” 2 Cor. 5:10 Solomon agrees: “For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” Eccl. 12:14.
Our Dear Saviour proclaims, “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” Revelation 22:11, 12 May we look to our Great Advocate Who is the Way, the Truth and the Life. (1 John 2:1; John 14:6) May He confess us before His Father during the Heavenly judgment. (Matt 10:32) May we all be ready for that grand and glorious day is my prayer.
Rose