"_As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God._
"_For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father._
"_The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God_:
"_And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together._"--(Romans viii. 14--17.)
The people of whom St. Paul speaks in the verses before our eyes are the richest people upon earth. It must needs be so. They are called "heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ."
The inheritance of these people is the only inheritance _really worth having_. All others are unsatisfying and disappointing. They bring with them many cares. They cannot cure an aching heart, or lighten a heavy conscience. They cannot keep off family troubles. They cannot prevent sicknesses, bereavements, separations, and deaths. But there is no disappointment among the "heirs of God."
The inheritance =I= speak of is the only inheritance _which can be kept for ever_. All others must be left in the hour of death, if they have not been taken away before. The owners of millions of pounds can carry nothing with them beyond the grave. But it is not so with the "heirs of God." Their inheritance is eternal.
The inheritance I speak of is the only inheritance _which is within every body's reach_. Most men can never obtain riches and greatness, though they labour hard for them all their lives. But glory, honour, and eternal life, are offered to every man freely, who is willing to accept them on God's terms. "Whosoever will," may be an "heir of God, and joint heir with Christ."
If any reader of this paper wishes to have a portion of this inheritance, let him know that he must be a member of that one family on earth to which it belongs, and that is the family of all true Christians. You must become one of God's children on earth, if you desire to have glory in heaven. I write this paper in order to persuade you to become a child of God this day, if you are not one already. I write it to persuade you to make sure work that you are one, if at present you have only a vague hope, and nothing more. None but true Christians are the children of God! None but the children of God are heirs of God! Give me your attention, while I try to unfold to you these things, and to show the lessons contained in the verses which head this page.
I. Let me show _the relation of all true Christians to God. They are "sons of God._"
II. Let me show _the special evidences of this relation_. True Christians are "_led by the Spirit_." They have "_the Spirit of adoption_." They have the "_witness of the Spirit_." They "_suffer with Christ_."
III. Let me show _the privileges of this relation_. True Christians are "_heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ_."
I. First let me show _the relation of all true Christians to God_. They are God's "Sons."
I know no higher and more comfortable word that could have been chosen. To be servants of God,--to be subjects, soldiers, disciples, friends,--all these are excellent titles; but to be the "sons" of God is a step higher still. What says the Scripture? "The servant abideth not in the house for ever, but the Son abideth ever." (John viii. 35.)
To be son of the rich and noble in this world,--to be son of the princes and kings of the earth,--this is commonly reckoned a great temporal advantage and privilege. But to be a son of the King of kings, and Lord of lords,--to be a son of the High and Holy One, who inhabiteth eternity,--this is something far higher. And yet this is the portion of every true Christian.
The son of an earthly parent looks naturally to his father for affection, maintenance, provision, and education. There is a home always open to him. There is a love which, generally speaking, no bad conduct can completely extinguish. All these are things belonging even to the sonship of this world. Think then how great is the privilege of that poor sinner of mankind who can say of God, "He is my Father."