2) Adoption as a Son
As we grow up under the tutelage of the Holy Spirit, we come to realize that
we are not worshiping and serving a God who is untouchable but a loving Father.
A Father who provided to us as sons the ability to come into His presence
anytime we
want. We are able to barge right into the Holy of Holies without fear
or ceremony. Even as a father's young child will run up and jump into their
fathers lap, so we can do the same. Not only can we do the same but God wants us
to love him this way. If we boil the scriptures down to a single concept, the
main concept from Genesis to Revelation is: God desires us to have a deeper
relationship with Him. All that He has done is for this very purpose. God is our
Father and we are His children.
Women may feel uncomfortable with being called a son. There are valid reasons why
we are called sons of God not sons and daughters. In the Old Testament only the
sons received an inheritance. While the first born son (first fruit) received a
double portion of the inheritance as well as the blessing. GAL 4:5 in order
that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the
adoption as sons. 4:6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of
His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" 4:7 Therefore you are
no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God. In
Romans we read, ROM 8:14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God,
these are sons of God. 8:15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery
leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by
which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" 8:16 The Spirit Himself bears
witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 8:17 and if children, heirs
also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him in
order that we may also be glorified with Him. If we are sons then we are
heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ. This means that we have complete
access to all that God has because we are His sons. The first born, Jesus, is an
inheritor of a double portion but we are fellow heirs right along side of Him.
If we can grasp this concept we would live our lives in victory every day. Thank
God that we are sons and are eligible to share in the inheritance.
3) Eternal life
While all humans will exist for eternity, not all will partake of eternal
life. We only have two choices when it comes to our eternal existence, spending
eternity with God in heavenly places or in the lake of fire with the devil and
his angels. This is what the Bible has to say about the lake of fire and some of
our destinies: REV 20:10 And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the
lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and
they will be
tormented day and night forever and ever. And also, REV
20:15 And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was
thrown into the lake of fire. The sad fact is that there is only one book
of life and several books containing the names of those who are not in the book
of life (Revelation 20:12).
For those of us who are partaking in the Spirit of God (His spirit living in
us) we are receiving eternal life right now. This eternal life we receive comes
through His spirit into our spirit. It is through this power that we are
transformed from vile and ungodly people into holy and righteous ones. The
inward Spirit provides the Christian his greatest strength and ability to live a
Godly life. The more we are aware of the eternal life we receive now the more
confidence we will have in knowing that our salvation is a fact.
