The Sonship of the Believer

Galatians 4:6

And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts.

The spirit and the cry of adoption

I. The dignity of believers. Adoption gives us the rights of children; regeneration gives us the nature of children: we are partakers of both of these, for we are sons.

1. This sonship is a gift of grace received by faith.

(1) Faith brings us justification.

(2) Faith sets us free from the bondage of the law.

(3) Faith is the mark of sonship in all who have it.

2. Adoption comes to us by redemption.

3. We now enjoy the privilege of sonship. Not only sons, but full-grown sons.

II. The consequent indwelling of the Holy Ghost in believers.

1. Here is a Divine act of the Father.

2. He comes as the Spirit of Jesus.

3. He takes up His residence in the believer’s heart. Coming into the central fortress and universal citadel of our nature, He takes possession of the whole.

4. This wonderful blessing is fraught with marvellous results. Sonship sealed by the indwelling Spirit brings us peace and joy; it leads to nearness to God and fellowship with Him; it excites trust, love, and vehement desire; and creates in us reverence, obedience, and actual likeness to God.

III. The filial cry.

1. It is the Spirit of God that cries.

2. It is literally the cry of the Son.

3. This cry in our hearts is exceedingly near and familiar. A cry is a sound which we are not anxious that every passer-by should hear; yet what child minds his father hearing him cry?

4. How earnest a thing is a cry.

5. The most of this crying is kept within the heart, and does not come out at the lips. At all times and in all places we can lift up our hearts and cry to God. (C. H. Spurgeon.)

The gain of adoption

By adoption God gives us

(1) a new nature (2Pe_1:3);

(2) a new name (Rev_3:12);

(3) a new inheritance (Rom_8:17);

(4) new relations (Rom_8:15-16);

(5) a new hope (1Pe_1:3). (John Bate.)

What is implied in adoption

1. Derivation of nature from God (Joh_1:13; Jas_1:18; 1Jn_5:18).

2. Being born again in the image of God, bearing His likeness (Rom_8:29; 2Co_3:18; Col_3:10; 2Pe_1:4).

3. Bearing His name (1Jn_3:1; Rev_2:17; Rev_3:12).

4. Being the objects of His peculiar love (Joh_17:23; Rom_5:5-8; Tit_3:4; 1Jn_4:7-11).

5. The indwelling of the Spirit of His Son; who gives an obedient spirit (1Pe_1:14; 2Jn_1:6), a spirit free from sense of guilt, legal bondage, fear of death (Rom_8:15; Rom_8:21; 2Co_3:17; Gal_5:1; Heb_2:15; 1Jn_5:14), a spirit elevated with a holy boldness and royal dignity (Heb_10:19; Heb_10:22; 1Pe_2:9; 1Pe_4:14).

6. Present protection, consolations, and abundant provisions (Psa_125:2; Isa_66:13; Luk_12:27-32; Joh_14:18; 1Co_3:21-23; 2Co_1:4).

7. Present fatherly chastisements for our good, including both temporal and spiritual afflictions (Psa_51:11-12; Heb_12:5-11).

8. The certain inheritance of the riches of our Father’s glory, as heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ (Rom_8:17; Jas_2:5; 1Pe_1:4; 1Pe_3:7), including the exaltation of our bodies to fellowship with Him (Rom_8:28; Php_3:21). (A. A. Hodge.)

Divine adoption contrasted with human

1. Men generally adopt when they have no children of their own. But God had a Son, His dear Son, His well-beloved Son. He also had angels.

2. Men generally adopt such as they think deserving; God adopts criminals, traitors, enemies.

3. Men adopt living children; God, those who are by nature spiritually dead.

4. Man generally adopts one only: God, many. (G. S. Bowes.)

Privileges of adoption

By adoption—

1. God the Father is made our Father.

2. The incarnate God.Man is made our elder Brother, and we are made

(1) like Him;

(2) intimately associated with Him in community of life, standing, relations, privileges;

(3) joint-heirs with Him of His glory.

3. The Holy Ghost is our indweller, teacher, guide, advocate, comforter, sanctifier.

4. All believers, being subjects of the same adoption, are brethren (Eph_3:6; 1Jn_3:14; 1Jn_5:1). (A. A. Hodge.)

Heathen and Christian conceptions of God

A Jew entered a Persian temple, and saw there the sacred fire. He said to the priest, “How! do you worship fire?” “Not the fire; it is to us an emblem of the sun and of his animating light,” said the priest. Then asked the Jew, “Do you adore the sun as a deity? Do you know that he also is a creature of the Almighty?” The priest explained that the sun was to them only an emblem of the invisible light which preserves all things. The Israelite continued, “Does your nation distinguish the image from the original? They call the sun their god, and kneel before the earthly flame. You dazzle the eye of the body, but darken that of the mind; in presenting to them the terrestrial light you take from them the celestial.” The Persian asked, “How do you name the Supreme Being?” “We call Him Jehovah Adonai; that is, the Lord who was, and is, and shall be.” “Your word is great and glorious; but it is terrible,” said the Persian. A Christian approaching, said, “We call Him Abba, Father.” Then the Gentile and the Jew regarded each other with surprise, and said, “Your word is the nearest and the highest; but who gives you courage to call the Eternal thus?” “The Father Himself,” replied the Christian; and with that he proceeded to expound to them the plan of redemption. Then they believed, and lifted up their eyes to heaven, saying, “Father, dear Father;” and, joining hands, called each other brethren. (Krummacher.)

I. The spirit sent.

1. There are Three Persons in the Godhead who are often mentioned together as here (Mat_3:16-17; Mat_28:19; 2Co_13:14; 1Jn_5:7).

2. The Spirit is the third Person because He proceeds from the Father and the Son (Joh_14:26; Joh_15:26; Joh_16:15, and here).

II. Who sent him?

1. God sent His Son (Gal_4:4).

2. By the mediation of His Son. He sent the Spirit too (Joh_16:6-7; Luk_24:49; Act_1:4; Act_2:1).

III. why?, Because ye are sons.

1. All believers are God’s sons (Joh_1:12).

2. There fore, because they believe, and so are His Sons, God gives them His Spirit.

IV. Whither? Into your hearts.

1. Because the heart is the fountain of life (Pro_4:23).

2. The seat of true grace.

V. What to do?

1. To be a pledge of Christ’s presence (Joh_14:16-18; Mat_28:20).

2. To teach us all things needful (Joh_14:26).

3. To guide us into all truth.

4. To comfort us (Joh_15:26; Joh_16:7).

5. To seal our redemption (Eph_1:13-14; Eph_4:30).

6. To uphold us under all afflictions (Psa_51:12).

7. To witness our adoption (Rom_8:15-16).

VI. Uses.

1. Examine yourselves whether you have this Spirit.

(1) He is a convincing Spirit (Joh_16:9-11)

(a) of sin in ourselves,

(b) of righteousness in Christ,

(c) of Christ’s power and judgment to come.

(2) A renewing Spirit (Tit_3:5; Joh_3:3-5).

(3) A quickening Spirit (Rom_8:2; Joh_6:63)

(4) A leading Spirit (Rom_8:1; Rom_8:14).

(5) A praying Spirit (Rom_8:15; Rom_8:26).

2. Use all the means to get the Spirit in your hearts.

VII. Motives. Consider—

1. Till then you are not Christ’s (Rom_8:9).

2. Can do no good thing (Joh_15:5; Rom_8:26).

3. Are exposed to all sin.

4. In continual danger of hell.

5. Can have no true comfort.

VIII. Means.

1. Pray to God for it (Luk_11:13).

2. Frequent all public ordinances (Act_2:1). (Bishop Beveridge.)

The work of the Spirit

I. The worker. The Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of the Son because—

1. Of His eternal procession from the Son.

2. He was given to the Son as Head of the Church for the unction, consecration, and sanctification of His human nature.

3. He is communicated through the Son to all believers.

(1) Authoritatively, by virtue of the covenant of redemption (Act_2:33; Act_5:32).

(2) Formally, in that all the graces of the Spirit are derived by us from Him (Col_1:19; Col_2:19; Col_3:1-4; Eph_4:16).

II. The work. He enables God’s adopted children to behave themselves suitably to their state and condition.

1. Not as strangers, foreigners, or even servants, but

2. as children and heirs by becoming in them the Spirit of power, love, and sobriety (2Ti_1:7).

III. The effects of the working.

1. Freedom of access to the “Father” is secured.

2. He becomes to us the Spirit of grace and of supplications,

(1) by exerting graces and gracious affections in our souls in the duty of prayer: especially those of faith, love, and delight;

(2) by enabling us to exercise those graces and express those affections in vocal prayer. (J. Owen, D. D.)

Abba Father

I. The first, a Hebrew word, and the second, a Greek, signifies the union of Jews and Gentiles in our Church. In Christ the corner-stone both are joined by becoming sons: circumcision from one place, wherefore “Abba”—uncircumcision from another, wherefore “Father” is named, the concord of walls being the glory of the corner-stone.

II. The word “Abba” is retained because it is full of affection; but “Father” is added not only to expound the same, but the better to express the eager moving, the earnest and vehement desires and singular affections of believers in their crying unto God. (Brooks.)

You are to look unto your experience, and try and find out whether there there be not working with your soul, working through it, working beneath it, distinct from it, but not distinguishable from it by anything but its consequences and fruitfulness—a deeper voice than yours—a “still, small voice.” No whirlwind, nor fire, nor earthquake, but the voice of God speaking in secret, taking the voice and tones of your own heart and your own consciousness, and saying to you: Thou art My child, inasmuch as, operated by My grace, and Mine inspiration alone, there rises tremlingly, but truly, in thine own soul the cry Abba, Father.” (A. Maclaren, D. D.)

It involves that the Father and the child shall have kindred life—the Father bestowing, and the child possessing, a life which is derived; and because derived, kindred; and because kindred, unfolding itself in likeness to the Father that gave it. And it requires that between the Father’s heart and the child’s heart there shall pass in blessed interchange and quick correspondence, answering love, flashing backwards and forwards, like the lightning that touches the earth, and rises from it again. (A. Maclaren, D. D.)

The character and privileges of the children of God

I. The distinguishing characteristics of the children of God. Believing Christians enter into a higher condition. The servant becomes a son. Everything which would obstruct the view of a God of love is done away in Christ.

1. A spirit of filial confidence, as opposed to servile fear.

2. A spirit of holy love, as opposed to the bondage of sin.

3. A spirit of ready obedience, as opposed to the gloomy spirit of servitude. As love is the most powerful and self-devoted passion of our nature, it explains the character as well as the principle of Christian obedience. It is self-denying; for we no longer live to ourselves, but to Him who died for us and rose again (2Co_5:15). It is soul-absorbing; for it is not so much we that now live, as Christ that liveth in us (Gal_2:20). It is devoted, for our will is swallowed up in His, and the cry of the heart is, “Lord, what wouldst Thou have me to do?” Hence the bold assertion of St. Paul, “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin condemned sin in the flesh; that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit (Rom_8:3-4).

II. We now proceed to consider some of the distinguishing privileges of the children of God. It will be at once acknowledged that the characteristics which we have mentioned are also exalted privileges. To have a satisfactory sense of sin being pardoned; to walk in the light of God’s countenance, with a secret assurance of His love and favour; to be freed from the degrading bondage of Sin, and the servile fear of a holy law; to possess the moral power of holy obedience, and to have this heavenly principle pervading the soul; these are distinguishing gifts of Divine mercy. Whilst the “spirit of a son” has its characteristic endowments, the condition of a child has its peculiar prerogatives. The one is the family genius, the other the family privileges.

1. The child of God has a part in the Father’s love and care.

2. The child of God has a filial resemblance to his heavenly Father. In the households of earth there is what is termed a family likeness. Some distinguishing trait of feature often marks the countenances of all the offspring. However varied may be the form and hue of their faces, there is some identity of expression which makes them like their parent, and like to one another. So it is with the family of God, Being born from above, they possess the characteristics of a heavenly nature. They differ in the proportion and intensity of their spiritual graces, but they are all marked with the lineaments of virtue. One is more eminent for faith, another for zeal, another for wisdom; some excel in patience, or meekness, or fervid hope, or gentle love; but all have the fundamentals of these holy principles. They all bear the marks of a noble lineage. You might see in each of their hearts the peculiar traits of royalty. You might readily perceive that each inherits his Father’s holiness. He is the child of a King, a prince of God (1Pe_2:9; Rev_1:6).

3. Children of God have the privileges of family communion and fellowship. It is not now granted to man to hold conversational intercourse with angelic or sainted members of the heavenly family. He must be satisfied with knowing that they have some communion with his spirit. This is often alleged in the Scriptures, And who can tell what benefits we receive from holy thoughts, counsels, and promptings, whispered to the soul by hovering spirits of an ethereal nature? But we are privileged with the “communion of saints.” We may associate with the wise and good, the saints that are in the earth, and the excellent (Psa_16:3). Above all, the Christian has access to the throne of grace, and holds communion with the Father, through the Son, by the Holy Spirit.

4. Children of God have a share in the family provisions. There is a common stock of mercies, of which all the children have a right to partake. A certain property in blessings belongs to the household of faith. Exceeding great and precious promises have been provided by their heavenly Father. There is a fulness in Christ out of which His Church are permitted to receive. Every one is exhorted to take largely of these Divine gifts. Unlike property of an earthly nature, these riches never diminish by using. There could, therefore, be no reason for withholding them from any seeking soul. All are at liberty to “ask and receive, that their joy may be full.”

5. Children have a title to the future inheritance. “If a son, then an heir of God through Christ;” or, as the apostle writes in another place, “If children then heirs,” etc. “Heirs of God”—it is a strange expression! What does it mean? (R. M. Macbraire, M. A.)

Adoption

I. In what does adoption consist? It is the translation of a person out of one family into another. The act of grace by which God takes the children of the wicked one out of the world, and makes them the sons and daughters of His spiritual family.

1. Points of similarity between natural and spiritual adoption.

(1) In adoption we cease to have our former name, and are designated after the name of God, who adopted us; then sinners, now saints; then enemies, now reconciled; then aliens and rebels, now brought nigh and the friends of God.

(2) In adoption we change our abode. Once in the world, in the kingdom of darkness, in a far country; now in the Church, in the kingdom of God’s dear Son, in the household of faith, and family of heaven.

(3) We change our costume. Conform to the family dress.

2. Points of difference between natural and spiritual adoption.

(1) Natural adoption was to supply a family defect. Because there was no son. God had hosts of sons—the angels, etc.

(2) Natural adoption was only of sons. God makes no distinction as to sex, race, etc.

(3) In natural adoption there was only a change of condition; the child never became really the son of the adopter. But God makes His children partakers of His own nature, and imprints on them His own image.

(4) In natural adoption only one was adopted; but God adopts multitudes.

(5) In natural adoption only temporal advantages were derived; but in spiritual, the blessings are eternal.

II. The signs of adoption.

1. Internal (see Gal_4:6; Rom_8:14-16). The Spirit will produce within us

(1) peace of mind,

(2) comfort of heart,

(3) spiritual joy.

2. External.

(1) Language. Conversation such as becometh the gospel of Christ.

(2) Profession. We shall appear as the sons of the family of God; have the family badge, be enrolled in the family book, be found in the family circle, and sit at the family table.

(3) Obedience. God’s family has its laws, its specific rules for the government of itself, and for the direction of its conduct towards those who are without,

III. Its privileges.

1. Deliverance from all the miseries of our pristine state. Poverty, rags, misery, ruin.

2. Investiture into all the benefits of Christ’s family on earth.

3. A title to the celestial inheritance which Christ has bought and prepared for all who lave Him.

Application:

1. Learn the essential importance of this blessing. What would pardon and regeneration be without it? Let us seek the good of God’s family. We are in it to labour as well as enjoy.

2. Invite strangers to become the sons and heirs of God. (J. Burns, D. D.)

Sons by adoption

Great indeed is the rank and privilege of a son of God. The son of Adam, that is taken to be the Son of God, is taken out of the company of the rebels against God, into the company of those that adore and bless His name with thanksgiving, and perform His service with diligence, in His glorious presence. But he always remembers whence he has been taken; that if as a son of Adam he was taken from the comparatively vile dust of the earth, as a son of God he has been taken into a spiritual nature out of the comparatively much viler fleshly nature. He remembers that he is not a real son, but an adopted. Now a real son is always a son to his father, happen what will. And having been born and bred in his house, he knows all that is required of him, and does naturally all the duties of a member of the family. But very different is the condition of an adopted son; he has been born and bred in another family, and therefore under different rules; and hence, however respectable his family may be, he cannot accommodate himself so freely and fully as he could wish, nor sufficiently know the mind of a father, whom he has not known from childhood. Much more then if he be taken out of a family whose habits are quite contrary, and disreputably contrary, to the habits of that into which he has been adopted, he must be in continual fear and perplexity. All is quite strange to him, and let him be ever so willing to accommodate himself to his new situation, still he is in continual doubt as to what he should do, and what he should not do, and is continually, notwithstanding all his watchfulness, letting out the secrets of the corrupt habits of his old family. But on the very account of this natural infirmity, God hath put him under an instructor, to give him the proper knowledge, to form his habits, to influence his will, and by such a thorough change, to qualify him for the duties of the new station to which he has been admitted. And this instructor is the Holy Spirit, called also, from this His very office amongst us, the spirit of adoption, as in Rom_8:14-15. (R. W. Evans, M. A.)

Comfort of assurance

Death, like the proud Philistine, comes marching out in his hideous shape, daring the whole host of Israel to match him with an equal combatant. The atheist dares not die for fear non esse,—that he shall not be at all; the profane dares not die, for fear male esse—to be damned; the doubtful conscience dares not die, because he knows not whether he shall be, or be damned, or not be at all. Only the resolved Christian dares die, because he is assured of his election; he knows he shall be happy; and so lifts up pleasant eyes to heaven, the infallible place of his eternal rest. He dares encounter with his last enemy, trample on him with the foot of disdain, and triumphantly sing over him, “O death! where is thy sting? O gravel where is thy victory?” He conquers in being conquered; and all because God hath said to his soul, “I am thy salvation.” (T. Adams.)

Assurance of adoption

In 1768 Mr. Wesley visited Glasgow, where the greatest part of the members had found peace with God. Three years before Thomas Taylor had been sent there, and had for his first congregation two bakers’ boys and two old women. He kept off preaching, and his hearers increased also to two hundred, but for want of means he never kept so many fast days in his life. He hired a room, formed a society, and paid a precentor fourpence for each service to lead off the psalms, but the money falling short, he had to dismiss both the psalms and the precentor; but he left a society of seventy members. One of these was old Janet, of whom John Pawson records this anecdote. Meeting the minister of the kirk she had long attended, she was thus accosted: “Oh, Janet, where have ye been, woman? I have no seen ye at the kirk for long.” She replied, “I go among the Methodists.” “Why, what gude get ye there, woman?” “Glory to God!” said Janet; “I do get gude; for God, for Christ’s sake, has forgiven me a’ my sins.” “Ah, Janet, be not highminded, but fear; the de’il is a cunning adversary.” “I dinna care a button for the de’il,” said Janet; I’ve gotten him under my feet. I ken the de’il can do muckle deal, but there is ant thing he canna do.” “What is that, Janet?” “He canna shed abroad the love of God in my heart; an’ I am sure I’ve got it there!” “Weel, weel,” said the minister, “If ye have got that there, hold it fast, Janet, and never let it go.” Benefit of assurance:—Latimer writes to Ridley, “When I live in a settled and steadfast assurance about the state of my soul, methinks I am as bold as a lion; I can laugh at all trouble; no affliction daunts me; but, when I am eclipsed in my comforts, I am of so fearful a spirit, that I could run into a very mouse-hole.”

Sonship of the believer

I. The true position of the Christian. “Sons.” Many fail to see it. They admit “believers,” “Christians,” “disciples,” “soldiers,” “servants.” True. Each has a truth. Just as “Jesus,” “Christ,” “Master,” “Lord;” but “Emanuel” reveals a new connection. So with the believer. “Son.” Christ took our nature, and we receive His in degree (2Pe_1:4). This is often urged in Scripture. Rom_7:1-25. plainly describes “law of nature” and “law of grace.” Why urge this?

1. Because of privileges, of which we shall speak soon.

2. Because it is a necessity of life. Many fail in efforts. They “try to be good,” and fail. Because they begin wrongly. Must be so. Ostrich cannot soar as eagle. Nature is fitted to habits. So in grace. God requires great things. A new life begins. How? Not by laws or precepts—it is a new gift. Adoption transfers from Satan’s family to God’s, and then a new nature is given.

II. The power by whom this adoption is wrought. By “God’s Spirit.” In every aspect—redemption, sanctification, preservation, fruitfulness—the believer is a Divine work. Often forgotten. We are surrounded by human instruments, and the agent is not seen. Insufficient. Only the statue, not the man. Form without life. Both solemn and assuring.

III. The necessary results of this indwelling. “Whereby,” etc. Immediate connection between life and action. The means may lie dormant, but the grace never. What results?

1. God is known. In daily life such knowledge must be imparted. Very true of spiritual things. This knowledge surpasses that imparted by Scripture or human teachers. Examples: 1Sa_3:7; 2Co_4:6; Gal_3:16-17. Samuel and Paul both taught by man, and yet they were spiritually ignorant. So, however much we may study, prize, increasingly value the Bible, each must go beyond it.

2. Confidence is enjoyed. Point of argument lies in “son” and “slave.” The difference, the unwavering confidence of “son.” So boldness in prayer, conflict, work, is believer’s privilege. The Father never deserts His child.

3. Consistent life. A great name should never be disgraced. What so noble as this? where else is such honour entrusted? “Be imitators of God.” (H. T. Cavell.)