[February 10th, 1856.]
I. Meaning of the expression.
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That Spirit which brings us into the relation of sons to God, that is, the Holy Ghost.
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The spirit of adoption may mean a filial spirit, the spirit which sons have; that spirit which makes us feel toward God as children toward a father. The Holy Ghost is the Spirit of adoption, for two reasons:1. Because he brings us into the relation of children to God. 2. Because he produces in us the feelings appropriate to that relation, a filial spirit.
II. What is that relation? or, What is it to be the children of God?
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The general idea of sonship is participation of nature. In this sense Christ is, , the Son of God. In this sense Adam and all mankind are God’s children. And in this sense, the regenerated, who are brought to be partakers of God’s nature, are specially his children. They are renewed after the image of God in knowledge, righteousness and holiness. Those partaking of God’s nature are of course like God. This is the fundamental fact which conditions all the rest.
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Objects of special favor. In this sense the Israelites were God’s children. This is the consequence, or rather an adjunct of the former. Those whom God loves, and towards whom he acts as a Father, are his children.
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Sonship is heirship. The one is included in the other. The sons of Abraham are the heirs of Abraham. The sons of God are the heirs of God.
III. The spirit of adoption as a filial spirit means that spirit or disposition towards God which is appropriate to this relation. 1. It is a spirit of reverential love, of admiration, of gratitude and delight. 2. A spirit of confidence, founded on this relation and on the assurance of God’s love and care. 3. A spirit of zeal for his glory, jealousy for his honor, and desire to see that honor promoted. 4. A spirit of obedience and resignation. A willingness that his will and not our own should be done.
IV. The outward conduct becoming this relation to God and which is the effect of a filial spirit.
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A life regulated by his commands and devoted to his service. A life of holiness.
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A life elevated above the world, not immersed in its pleasures and not devoted to its possessions. A life which has its end and consummation in heaven.
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A life of inward intercourse and fellowship with God.
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A life of joy and cheerful anticipation of the time when we shall see him as he is; when shall occur the manifestation of the sons of God.
Paul compares in Galatians the condition of believers under the law to that of (nepioi) and that of believers now to that of (huioi). So we may compare our present state to that of . and the state of believers after the second coming of Christ to that of . Then and not before will it be known what it is to be the sons of God.
Inferences
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The great sin and folly of Antinomianism, which separates the external privilege from the internal character of the sons of God. No man is the son of God in the sense of being an heir who is not a son in the sense of participation of nature.
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Our infinite obligation to Christ; for we are the sons of God only in him and by virtue of faith.
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How are we to become the sons of God? This is answered by what precedes. It is by faith in the Son of God. To as many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God. It is furthermore by the indwelling of the Holy Ghost. Because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
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