Open your Bibles, if you would,
to 1 John, chapter 3. 1 John, chapter 3. The name of the message is, Now
are we the sons of God. Now are we the sons of God. 1 John, chapter 3. We'll continue
our study in this wonderful book. It's been a great blessing to
go through this book, written by John, the beloved disciple.
Chapter 3, we'll read verses 1-9 to get the context of our
verses. Behold, what manner of love the
Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the
sons of God. Therefore the world knoweth us
not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons
of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be. But we know
that when He shall appear, we shall be like Him, for we shall
see Him as He is. And every man that hath this
hope in him purifies himself, even as he is pure. Whosoever
committeth sin transgresseth also the law, for sin is the
transgression of the law. And ye know that he was manifest
to take away our sins, and in him is no sin. Whosoever abideth
in him sinneth not. Whosoever sinneth hath not seen
him, neither known him. Little children, let no man deceive
you, He that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of
the devil, for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this
purpose the Son of God was manifest, that he might destroy the works
of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth
not commit sin, for his seed remaineth in him, and he cannot
sin, because he is born of God. Now two weeks ago, we looked
at verse 1 of this wonderful chapter. a verse that's very,
very dear to the believer in Christ. It brings forth in this
verse, in verse one, it brings forth the distinguishing love
of God towards his people, his elect, and it brings it very
clearly before us. Let's read that verse again.
Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us,
that's God's elect, because we know this epistle is written
to God's people, that we should be called the sons of God. Now
here's the distinction here. Therefore the world knoweth us
not, because it knew him not. So we see right in that verse
God's distinguishing grace. The elect of God, behold what
manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us. We know that. We've been taught about the everlasting
love of God in Christ. But the world does not know that
love. And that love is set upon God's people. His chosen blood-bought
people. As brother Tim James brought
forth the statement that we should be called the sons of God is
a declaration of what we are. It's a declaration of what we
are. And what a marvelous declaration this is. That we should be called
the sons of God. Called we know by His effectual
grace. and called the sons of God by
adoption in Christ. And we know this, that it's all
by the grace and mercy of God that that can be said of us,
and only by the mercy of God. Behold what manner of love the
Father hath bestowed upon us, given us. Remember, we looked
at that, that's a gift. And that's a permanent gift in
the Greek. It's not something that's given and then taken away.
Bestowed there means a permanent gift. It's given to you. Well, we know that our salvation
is given to us in Christ. The faith that we have is given
to us. It's a gift of God, not of works, lest any man should
boast that we should be called the sons of God. Again, we looked
at the contrast, though, in this first verse and how God's distinguishing
grace is on display between those who are called the sons of God,
and we know, again, that's by God's mercy and grace, and his
love, his eternal love that was set upon us from eternity, and
the world who knows not Christ, who knows not Christ, does not
know him. And the world does not know us,
we see in that first verse, because it does not know him. They cannot
understand us. How do we know that? Well, just
look at how we looked at Christians. I wanted nothing to do with any
Christians at all. Nothing at all. Matter of fact,
I used to get quite annoyed when they came around me. But that was my natural state.
I did not know Christ. Now that I know Christ, and is
it so for you, now that you know Christ, you desire to be around
God's people. He desired to hear the word of
God preached and proclaimed. And it's wonderful, as Brother
Drew and I were, or Drew Dietz and I were talking about today,
it leaves the believer in awe, in absolute awe of who Christ
is, and the fact that he has manifested himself to us, and
the fact that everything we know, and I know I keep saying this,
but it's so true, the fact that everything we know comes from
him. comes from him. He's the one,
the Holy Spirit teaches us the things of Christ. We cannot lay
claim to anything, anything at all. Again, what Paul wrote,
we boast in Christ, in Christ alone. That's who we boast in.
We boast in him. Let's look at that verse again.
Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us
that we should be called the sons of God. Therefore the world
knoweth us not because it knew him not. Man will never know,
natural man will never know who Christ is or who the God of the
Bible is unless he reveals himself to them. And every believer can
say amen. I did not know Christ. Did you
know Christ before He revealed Himself to you? We may have read
the Bible or read parts of it, but did you know Him? Did you
know who He was? You may have grew up in a grace
church, but did you know Him? Brother Matt constantly, when
we talk, he says, Wayne, I sat in a grace church, and I did
not know Christ until He revealed Himself to me. Well, amen. It's
the same for all of us. It's the same for all of us.
It's a revelation of God below. And that's what makes it so incredible.
That's what makes this statement here. Behold what manner of love
the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the
sons of God. Therefore the world knoweth us
not because it knew him not. We were of them at one time.
But praise God, he has bestowed his love upon us. We who are
his people. Now let's read verses one and
two together. Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed
upon us that we should be called the sons of God, therefore the
world knoweth us not because it knew him not. Verse two, look
at this. Beloved. Beloved. It's addressed to God's people.
Those who are beloved by God. Beloved. Now are we the sons
of God. And it doth not yet appear what
we shall be. But we know that when he shall
appear, We shall be like him. For we shall see him as he is. Now, note here. Note the words
here in this verse and what great comfort. What great comfort can
be found in in this one little verse, just like last week, one
verse, what great comfort or two weeks ago, what great comfort
can be found in this verse right here. Oh, what great comfort
can be found right here. And what great comfort can be
found in this one word? Beloved. Beloved. The only reason we are called
the beloved is because of God's grace and mercy. We do not deserve to be called
beloved, but God chose us in the turn. in Christ. And so John writes believers,
and that includes us right now. Beloved. Beloved. Think of this. God's people are
beloved of God by adoption. If you're a believer, you're
beloved of God by adoption in Christ. You're beloved of God and predestination. We are being conformed to the
image of Christ, beloved of God, your beloved, if you're one of
his people, you're beloved of God in the covenant of grace
in the everlasting covenant, beloved of God. Beloved of God,
if you're a born again believer, you're beloved of God and regeneration. God's people are born again by
the Holy Spirit of God. And if you're beloved of God,
you're beloved of God in Christ. In the testimony of the Spirit
in us, the Holy Spirit on this is what we cry Abba Father. Abba Father. We cry out to our
great God beloved. What a word. Beloved. In this verse, this word beloved
in this verse brings forth the fact that we are, as one commentator
said, the divinely loved ones. Let that sink in here. We are
the divinely loved ones. Oh my. Born again by God, and
I like this, objects of his eternal love. Beloved. Beloved of God. Now let's consider the next portion
of this wonderful verse here. Beloved, now are we the sons
of God. Now are we the sons of God. What a declaration. What a declaration
here before us. God's people. His elect. They that are born again by the
Holy Spirit of God, who is the author also of the scriptures.
God's elect are declared here. Declared here. That we are now the sons of God. Now the sons of God. Take note
of this little word, now. Now. Beloved, now are we the sons
of God. Just a tiny little word. Just
a tiny little word, but oh, what a word. Now. We're not on probation. We're
not on trial. Our great God does not save us
to see how long we'll be faithful. Or how obedient we will be. Again, we're not on probation.
We're not on a trial. When one starts a job in this
world, Most places of work will place
the worker on a 90-day probation period. We've all went through
that, right? We've all went through that on
jobs. They still do it today. And if you're on time and if
you're reliable and if you're a hard worker, then they probably
determine, well, we're not gonna let you go. We're gonna keep
you on. But if they determine that you're
not reliable and you're not a hard worker, well, see you later. I remember a false preacher one
time, I was watching the news, and this false preacher, who's
very famous, was on. And he said one of the most ridiculous
things I've ever heard. He said, just give God a 90-day
trial. That's just nonsense. That's
absolute nonsense. Now think of this, though. God's
people, again, are not on probation. There's no probationary period. We're not on trial. He doesn't
wait 90 days to see if we're going to do the right things
or perform in a certain way. No. Salvation is absolutely wholly
dependent upon Christ and Christ alone and what He's done. What
He's done. And He is the one we trust in.
He's the one we look to. Let's look at this verse again.
Beloved, now are we the sons of God. Now. Now. Right now. The scripture doesn't
say if we do this, then we're the sons of God. Doesn't say that, does it? God doesn't say, well, I'll see
how they act. Let's see how they act when they're going through
a trial or a tribulation, and then, no, it doesn't say that,
does it? It doesn't say that. Oh, and it doesn't even say if
we act like the Son's God, then we're sons of God, does it? It says, beloved. Now, look at
this with wonder and awe. Now, beloved, now are we the
sons of God. Now. And this is true of every born-again,
blood-washed believer, beloved. Now. Is it any wonder then? Is it
any wonder when we read a statement like this, Is it any wonder,
then, that Paul wrote, the love of Christ constraineth us from
sin? It'll leave you in wonder. See, folks take
statements like I made when I said it's not based upon your obedience. They take that and say, well,
you're preaching antinomianism. No, absolutely not. No, God's
people won't go crazy. Because we read a scripture like
that and we're like, oh my Lord, look what you've done for me. It was my sin that put you on
the cross. And it leaves us in awe. Beloved, now are we the sons
of God. Now. And this is a declaration. This is a declaration here before
us of what we are presently. That'll warm your soul. It's
a declaration of what we are presently. It's as one grace
preacher I heard say, it's a state. It's a present state. Behold, our beloved, now are
we the sons of God. And the word now there, although
it's a very small word, is very prominent in this text. Very
prominent. Beloved, now are we the sons
of God. Salvation is spoken of, turn
if you would to 1 Corinthians 1. Salvation is spoken of in
the present in Scripture. Now we see here in our text that
We are declared the sons of God and spoken of in the present,
isn't it? Beloved, now are we the sons of God. Look at this
over here in 1 Corinthians 1.18. Look at this. For the salvation here is spoken
of in the present. For the preaching of the cross,
verse 18, chapter 1, 1 Corinthians, for the preaching of the cross
is to them that perish foolishness. It's foolishness to them. They
don't think, they mock our king, they mock God's people, they
mock the word of God. It's foolishness to them. But, to them that perish it's foolishness,
but unto us which are saved, which are saved, we're saved
presently, aren't we? right now. It is the power of
God. It's the power of God. It's the
power of God for every believer right now. We are saved in Christ
right now. We are called the sons of God
right now. Right now. It's absolutely wonder. Absolutely wonderful. The scripture
do not say to them who shall be saved, there does it. Or it
doesn't say to them who shall keep themselves. No, it says
to them which are saved. Saved. It is the power of God. It's a sure thing in the present
right now. To them which are saved. Now turn, if you would, to Romans
chapter 8. Romans chapter 8. We'll look at verses 1 and 2.
And take note of the same little word now right here. Oh my. And this will show us that our
justification, our justification before God is present right now. Marvel at this. Our salvation
is sure right now. We are called the sons of God
right now. And look at this in Romans chapter eight. This speaks
of our justification before God. There is therefore, there's that
word again, now. Now, right now, right now. No
condemnation. Oh my, to who? To them which are in Christ Jesus.
Praise be to God, beloved. Who walk not after the flesh,
but after the spirit. for the law of the spirit of
life in Christ hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Look at that little word there, oh beloved. There is therefore
now, now, right now, no condemnation. And that word condemnation, I
went over this many times because this verse is so sweet to me.
The word condemnation in the Greek is judgment. There is therefore
now no judgment. Now, right, right now. Isn't
that wonderful? Right now. There is therefore
now no judgment to them which are in Christ Jesus. Why? Because
Christ paid it all. He paid it all. Oh, it's wonderful. Now think of this. Adoption.
Adoption is a present blessing as well. Turn, if you would,
to 1 Corinthians 1 again. 1 Corinthians 1. And actually, adoption is a present
thing because of our text that says, now are we the sons of
God. Now. Right now. So our adoption in Christ is
a present thing. Now are we the sons of God. Now
here we're going to look at our sanctification. Look at this. Do you know that sanctification
is a present blessing too? A present blessing. So our adoption
in Christ is a present blessing. Our justification in Christ is
a present blessing. Our salvation in Christ is a
present blessing. Now look at this. We see our
sanctification is a present blessing. The Apostle Paul addresses himself
to the Corinthians, the Corinthian church, again with these words
inspired by the Holy Spirit of God. Under the church of God,
which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ. How? 1 Corinthians 1 and 2. 1 Corinthians 1 and 2. Unto the church of God, which
is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus. In Christ. Called to be saints. We know that's an effectual calling
of God. With all that in every place
call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours.
Grace be unto you. and peace from God our Father
and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Now let's go back to our text. So we've seen that our salvation
is a present thing. Our justification in Christ is
a present thing. And again, our salvation's in
Christ alone. We saw there that our sanctification is a present
blessing. And then look at this declaration again. Beloved, now
are we the sons of God. That proclaims that our adoption
in Christ is a present blessing. A present. Now are we called
the sons of God. It's absolutely wonderful. It's
absolutely wonderful. And again, this is our declaration,
a declaration of our standing before God. Beloved. Divinely loved ones. Now. Right now. Are we the sons of
God? What a declaration. Now, in this
world, we're tossed to and fro, aren't we? Turn, if you would,
one more chapter over, 1 John 4, and we're looking at verse
17. We're tossed to and fro by circumstances,
aren't we? We all are. But rejoice in this truth. Herein
is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day
of judgment, because as he is, so are we in this world. Again,
John is showing us the fruit of God's love to us and our love
for God, which we know is the fruit of the spirit. And we can
stand boldly before God. We can stand boldly before God
right now at the throne of grace and at the final judgment. Because
we're in Christ. That's wonderful. That's absolutely
wonderful. Brings the saint of God great
comfort. Now in our natural state, we dread the presence of God.
We dread the presence of God in our natural state. We fear
death. And justly so. Justly so. For our sins hold us what? Guilty,
condemned before God. Condemnation and hell comes to
our mind in our natural state. When we think of God, natural
man has reasons to fear and to shun the presence of God. But
the believer does not fear the judgment day. On the contrary, we approach
death and judgment confidently. Not confident in ourselves, because
we have no confidence in the flesh. But we can confidently
and cheerfully approach death and judgment, because all our
sins have been judged in Christ. There is therefore now no judgment,
condemnation to those in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the
flesh, but after the Spirit. Now, right now. No judgment. Think upon these words by Brother
Henry Mahan about that verse in chapter four. In verse 17,
I'll read it again. Herein is our love made perfect,
that we may have boldness in the day of judgment, because
as he is, so are we in this world. Brother Henry says this. As Christ
is the son of God by nature, we are sons of God by adoption.
Remember, beloved, now are we the sons of God. As he is loved by the Father
with an everlasting and unchangeable love, so are we loved by him. So are we loved by him with the
same kind of love. Oh my. Behold what manner of
love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called
the sons of God. Oh my. Same love, even while
we're in this world. That's wonderful. That's absolutely
wonderful. Look again. Behold, now we are
the sons of God and consider that this is our current state.
For every born again, blood washed believer in Christ. Well, we are in this world and. And. We are sons of God for eternity. Oh my. It's absolutely wonderful. Let's read the whole verse again.
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear
what we shall be. But we know that when he shall
appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Now the true believer in Christ,
the true believer who's resting and trusting in Christ, which
every true believer is doing, is here declared to be a son
of God. Son of God. And this little word is delightful. Now, now to the believer in Christ. Now, now we're the sons of God.
Now think of this. Let this sink deep into your
soul. We are the sons of God by choice. By choice. By God's choice. by God's choice. Chosen in Christ before the foundation
of the world, the scriptures declare this. According as He,
God, hath chosen us in Him, that's Christ, before the foundation
of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before
Him in love. Having predestined us unto the
adoption of children, now you're called the sons of God, by Jesus Christ to himself according
to the good pleasure of his will, God's will, God's choice. To the praise of the glory of
his grace, which will be given him praise to the glory of his
grace for eternity, beloved, when we're in glory. To the praise of the glory of
his grace wherein he hath made us accepted in the blood, Ephesians
1, 3 to 5. And then Peter writes these words.
So Paul writes those words. And remember, these are all by
inspiration of the Holy Spirit of God. Peter writes these words.
Elect according to the foreknowledge of God. Elect according to the
foreknowledge of God through sanctification of the Spirit. You're born again, set apart
by the Holy Spirit of God, born again, quickened. On the obedience
and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ, grace unto you
and peace be multiplied. So we are the sons of God. By choice. It's God's choice. And we marvel at that, don't
we? We absolutely marvel at that. We're also the elect of God,
we're also sons of God by God's love. Which is eternal, everlasting,
and I like this, unchanging love. It'll never change. No matter
what circumstance we're going through, God's love for His people
never changes. Our love may grow a little cold
sometimes. His love for us never changes.
Never, never, ever. Behold what manner of love the
Father hath bestowed upon us, the verse right before our verse,
that we should be called the sons of God. Do you know also
that we are the sons of God by gift? That we are the sons of God by
gift. The scripture proclaims this
in John 6, 37. And this is the master saying
this, all that the Father giveth me, giveth me. The Father gave
us to Christ in eternity. All that the Father giveth me.
We're the sons of God by gift. All that the Father giveth me
shall come to me. It's a fact. They shall. In him that cometh to me, I'll
no wise cast out. Now are we called the sons of
God. And he'll never cast us out.
Never. Never. And you know this too.
We're the sons of God by purchase. We're the sons of God by purchase.
Turn, if you would, to John chapter... No, I'm sorry. I got ahead of myself. We're
the sons of God by purchase. Christ redeemed us with his own
precious blood. The scripture says this in the
book of Acts. Take heed, therefore, unto yourselves
and to all the flock. over which the Holy Ghost hath
made you overseers to feed the church of God, which he hath
purchased with his own blood. Christ, who is the God-man, God
incarnate in the flesh, has purchased us with his own precious blood. His own precious blood. He has
redeemed us. We're his by purchase. We're
his by purchase. Turn, if you would, to John 17,
6. That's where I was going to have us turn to. And look what
our Lord says here. Again, this is under the heading
of the gift, that we're sons of God by gift from the Father
to Christ. Look at this in John 17, verse
six, in the Lord's high priestly prayer. Look what he proclaims
here. Look at this and think of this. Bring this right home
to you as a believer, because we should do that with the scriptures.
Bring this right home. John 17, verse six. I have manifest thy name unto
the men, and we know that's women too, men which thou gavest me,
he's talking here of the disciples though, which thou gavest me
out of the world, thine they were, and thou gavest them me,
and they have kept thy word. But look at this, we can say
I have manifested thy name unto, he's manifested his name unto
all the people whom God gave him, didn't he? All of us, all
the elect of God. And now there's some who are
lost still. But just like we were called
with an effectual calling, beloved, they too shall be called. They
too shall be called. Look at that beautiful verse,
though. I have manifested thy name unto the man which thou
gavest me out of the world. Thine they were, and thou gavest
them me, and they have kept thy word. Now we know that Christ
manifests to his sheep, all his sheep that he purchased with
his precious blood, himself. And the Holy Spirit's the one
who shows us him. The one who reveals Him to us. And we know
that God gave all the elect to Christ. So we're the sons of God by gift.
We're also the sons of God by power. By power. Not by any power of
our own. Because we know left in our natural
state, we have no power to save ourselves, we have no power to
save anybody else, let alone ourselves. But the scripture
declares in Psalm 110.3, thy people shall be made willing
in the day of thy power. God's power. We're sons of God
by power, by God's power. By God's power. He made us willing. The unwilling were made willing. And they flee right to Christ.
All by the power of God. All by the power of God. Think
of this, too. We're born again, not by any
power within us. We don't have any power to regenerate
ourselves. We can't do that, can we? We're
born dead. But by the power of God. We're
born again. And the Lord told Nicodemus,
right? You must be born again. Nicodemus,
like a natural man, said, Well, how can I happen? I go in my
mother's womb again. No. No. Born from above. By the power
of God. By the power of God. And by the
power of God Almighty, turn, if you would, the first Peter,
chapter one, first Peter, chapter one. We're born again by the
power of God. We're, we're, we're sons of God
by the power of God. Holy spirits regenerated us.
And now glory to his name. We're born again. We're born
again. Look at this in first Peter chapter
one. Look at verses three, look verse three, and then we'll look
at verses 22 and 23. Look at verse three. Blessed be the God and
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant
mercy, and every one of God's people can say, oh, his mercy
is so abundant to me. His abundant mercy hath what? Begotten us again unto a lively
hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Well, we're
born again. And we have a lively hope, which
we know from our studies in 1 Peter, that's a living hope. Our Savior
is alive. Every other religion you can
trace to a man in the grave. But our Lord rose from the grave.
He was victorious. He's raised for our justification.
And that's why there's therefore now no condemnation to those
in Christ Jesus. Because He paid everything that
was demanded. Now look at verses 22 and 23.
Seeing you have purified your souls and obeying the truth through
the Spirit, we know by the power of the Spirit, unto unfraying
love of the brethren, see that you love one another with a pure
heart fervently, being born again, not of corruptible seed, but
of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth
forever. Oh my. All by the power of God. All by His almighty power. Let's
go back to our verse. 1 John 3, 2, all by the power
of God. Look at this. Beloved, now are
we the sons of God. And it doth not yet appear what
we shall be. But we know that when He shall
appear, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. Now remember, our Lord did not
stand out amongst the people. Isaiah 53-2, the scriptures declare
this about our Lord. For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant and as a root of the dry ground.
He hath no form nor commonness, and when we shall see him, There's
no beauty that we should desire him. He didn't stand out amongst
men. He didn't come into this world
arrayed in final robes as a king. He's born a king, though, isn't
he? He's king before he comes. He's born a king, and he's king
right now. But he didn't come in pomp and
circumstances, did he? He's born in a lowly manger. Born in a lowly manger. In the
scripture declare in Isaiah 53 too, that he hath no form nor
calmliness, and when we shall see him, there's no beauty in
that we should desire him. Now, in our natural state, just
as the unbelieving Jews who looked upon Christ and saw no beauty
in him, that's the natural state of men.
When we were unregenerate, we didn't see beauty in Christ.
But now, Now that we're born again of the Holy Spirit of God,
oh, what beauty we see in Christ. He's the fairest among 10,000
to our souls. He's our heavenly bridegroom.
He's the one that went to Calvary and died for my sin. He's the
one we love and adore, beloved. Now, think of this. In this world,
you can tell an Amish person, an Amish person, or you can tell
a Mennonite, can't you? And you can tell them priests
that walk around with them collars on their neck, right? Or nuns that are all dressed
up in their dress. Oh, you can tell who they are
by their dress. Well, we know they're just self-righteous
people who like to praise a man. Or who are dressing like that
because they're obeying the law, supposedly, all the time they
can't keep it. Have you ever pondered when you're at the restaurant,
or at a mall, or at an airport, have you ever pondered that you
cannot tell if there are other believers around you? Have you
ever pondered that? You can't tell. And they cannot tell if you're
a believer. You ever pondered that? You're
walking through an airport You may go right by one of God's
elect and don't even know it, right? And here you are, one
of God's elect going right by them and they don't even know
it either. They have no clue and you have
no clue. No. Think of these words in light
of that before us. And it doth not yet appear what
we shall be. It doth not yet appear what we
shall be. The world doesn't recognize us
as sons of God. The world doesn't recognize us
as sons of God, even though the scriptures right here declare
that this is our present state. That's what the scriptures declare,
but the world don't recognize that. Turn, if you would, to Romans
chapter 8. Now, in this world, we're subject
to many miseries and trials and temptations. And we are fully
aware as believers of the sin that's within us. And we're fully
aware of the evil around us, too. And yet the scriptures declare
that now at this very moment. We are the sons of God. Right
now. Look at this in Romans chapter
eight, we're starting verse 18. For I reckon that the sufferings
of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the
glory which shall be revealed in us." Now, we suffer in this
world. We suffer many things. But look at that. That the sufferings
of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the
glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation
of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of
God, For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly,
but by reason of him who has subjected the same in hope. Because
the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage
of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. Look at that. Because the creature
itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption
into the glorious liberty of the children of God, the freedom.
There'll be a day, beloved, when we're free from sin. We're totally
free from sin when we get the glory. For we know that the whole
creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And
not only they, but also ourselves, because we're in the flesh, which
have the first fruit of the spirit, even as we ourselves groan within
ourselves, waiting for the adoption to wit, the redemption of the
body. Oh, what a glorious day it'll be when we're in glory.
For we are saved by hope. Who is the object of your hope?
Every believer says Christ, right? For we are saved by hope. We're
saved by Christ. He's our hope. But hope that is seen is not
hope. So if you can see something,
you're not hoping for it. But if you don't see it, you're
hoping for it. But we don't see Christ, but
he's our hope. One day we're gonna see him, beloved. One day
we will. One day we will. For we are saved
by hope, that's Christ, but hope that is seen is not hope, but
by the eyes of faith we look to him. For what a man seeth,
why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see
not, then we do with patience wait for it. And we do with patience
wait for the day when the Lord takes us home to be in glory
with him. To be in glory with the very
one who is our hope. Oh, what a blessing God's people
have. What a blessing. Let's go back to our text. Let's go back to our text. It
says, in verse two, Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and
it doth not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when
he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him
as he is. Now we see here in this one verse,
the blessings are just piled on top of each other, one on
top of each other. Behold, beloved, behold. It tells us in the verse one,
behold, that means put your attention on this, what manner of love
the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called
the sons of God, therefore the world knoweth us not because
it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God. That's
a blessing all in itself. And it doth not yet appear what
we shall be. Oh, we have a hope, don't we? And our hope is Christ. We're going to we're being conformed
to his image. We're going to one day be in
his presence. But we know here's another hope piled on top of
those other hopes. But we know that when he shall appear, we
shall be like him. For we shall see him as he is. We're seeing him face to face. The one who is our hope, we're
behold. And what a promise this is from
God. What a promise this is. Do you
know that this same promise is promised in the Old Testament
and in the New? Turn, if you would, to Job. To
Job, chapter 19. Job, chapter 19. Verses 25 to 27. This is wonderful. For I know Job's Dobbs writing
about something he knows. Now we know the book of First
John's written for us to know or know that we have salvation
in Christ. No, the joy that we have in him.
Look at this. Job says, for I know that my
redeemer live it. Well, that can be said from every
believer, couldn't it? I know he lives. He's my hope. And that he shall stand at the
latter day upon the earth. And though after my skin, worms
destroy this body, we're all going to die. Yet in my flesh shall I see God. I'll see him. I'll see him. Remember
our verse. When he shall appear, we shall
be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Job says, here,
I'll see him. I'll see him myself. Look at the next verse. Whom
I shall see for myself. Every believer says that, too.
We're seeing for ourselves. Now, we hope people we love will
see them, too, if they're born again of the Holy Spirit of God.
But the believer could say, I'll see them myself. I'll see them. And mine eyes shall behold their
look upon him, and not another. It'll be me looking at them.
One of the saints he purchased with his blood all by his grace
and mercy All by his whom I shall see for myself and mine eyes
shall behold and not another though my my reigns be consumed
within me oh What a blessed blessed dream In Psalms it says this
as for me. I will behold thy face and righteousness
I clothed in the perfect spotless righteousness of Christ. I shall
be satisfied when I awake with thy likeness. And in Psalm 16,
it says this. Thou wilt show me the path of
life, and thy presence is fullness of joy. At thy right hand there
are pleasures forevermore. Now turn, if you would, to Matthew,
chapter 5. Matthew, chapter 5. Matthew, chapter 5. Verses 6 to 9. Blessed are they
which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall
be full. I've mentioned before that this is Christ. Christ is
our righteousness, isn't he? Matthew 5, starting in verse
6 there. Blessed are they which do hunger
and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed
are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Again, we've talked
about that before, too. God's people show mercy, because
we've received mercy. But look at this. Blessed are
the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Born again of the Holy
Spirit of God, all their sins are forgiven in Christ. They
shall see God. Doesn't say, well, they might,
does it? It says, they shall see God.
And then, blessed are the peacemakers, for they are called the children
of God. Well, who do we have peace with God through? The Lord
Jesus Christ. But look at that verse right
there. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
How are we made pure? How are we sinless in God's eyes?
Even though we're still sinners while we're on this earth, only
by the righteousness of Christ. only by the righteousness of
Christ and those who are clothed in the perfect spotless righteousness
of Christ shall see God shall see him no question at all turn again if you would to the
high priestly prayer John 17 and look at verse 24 Look at this. We know where Christ
is right now. He's seated at the right hand
of the Father, isn't he? He's seated right at the right hand
of the Father. Look at what he says here in John 17, 24. Father,
I will, that they also whom thou hast given me. Remember we were
chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world. We're a gift from
the Father to the Son. Be with me where I am. Well,
where's that? In glory. Glory that they may
behold my glory. Oh that that were look upon his
face and remember what our text says When he shall appear we
shall be like him for we shall see him as he is We're seeing
glory right That they may behold my glory which thou has given
me for thou lovest me before the foundation of the world And then Colossians says this,
when Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also
appear with him in glory. Colossians 3, 4. And then Philippians,
if you want to turn there, Philippians 3, verses 20 and 21, I'll read
it. It says, for our conversation,
and we know when we looked at that portion of scripture, that
conversation there is citizenship in the Greek. For our citizenship
is in heaven. It's in heaven. From whence also
we look for our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He's in heaven. Now, you've heard me say this
before. Brother Henry often brings this out. Where the head is,
the body will soon follow, right? Well, the head's in glory, beloved. And the body's going to soon
follow. Oh my, it's wonderful. It's absolutely wonderful. who
shall change our vile body that may be fashioned like unto his
glorious body according to the working whereby he is able even
to subdue all things unto himself. Philippians chapter three, verses
20 and 21. All by God's power. All by God's power. Now we know,
we know that while we're here on this earth, that we see through
a glass darkly. We see through a glass darkly,
beloved. Paul wrote that, he says, for now we see through
a glass dark. But then, face to face, face to face. For I know in part, now I know
in part, but then, then shall I know even as I am knowing. Oh my, Brother Marcus and I were
texting back and forth today. And our dear brother wrote, we
can't understand the love of God right now, can we? And he
said, but we will when we get home to glory, won't we? Yeah.
And I think we'll be in even more of that great love that's been
set upon us from eternity. Well, we're struggling with this
body of sin and death. Yet we're born again by the Holy
Spirit of God. We're redeemed by the blood of
the Lamb. And the Scripture here says we're
now called the sons of God. Now. Even though we struggle
with sin. Remember what the Scripture says,
too. I hath not seen nor heard, neither hath entered into the
heart of man the things that God hath prepared
for those that love him. We can't even fathom it. We can't
even fathom what heaven's like. We can't even enter into it. Save you some money. Don't ever
buy books that people want to tell you about how heaven is
because they don't have no clue. The one who was called up to
the third heaven couldn't even speak about the things that he
saw. Marvel over the fact that our
Lord watches his church. Marvel over the fact that he
keeps his people. And he knows the hours coming
when he shall take his bride home. And she shall never struggle
with sin ever again. Never. The only time we will
struggle with sin is while we're here on this earth. That's the
only time. Beloved. Divinely loved ones. Now are we the sons of God? And this is all because of Christ. All because of our union with
him who is our head. You know how wondrous this is.
How wondrous this is. Just as the grace that is given
to us is unmerited. And can never be earned. This
wonderful title here, Sons of God, comes to those who do not
merit it. Because we're sinners. But praise
be to God, we're safe sinners. We're safe sinners. Grace is
given. It's not earned. Nothing about you or me can make
us deserving of this grace or mercy. And nothing you have, or ever will have, will allow you to purchase it.
Nothing. No one can purchase salvation
and no one can earn salvation. But the believer has it freely
in Christ. Given to us. Given to us. We're nothing but mercy beggars
before the Lord. That's what we are. We're mercy
beggars. And it is He who has had mercy
upon us. It's the Lord. And think of this, beloved. It
is He who has purposed to have mercy upon us. All by His grace. All by His grace. It is He who
died on the cross for us. as our substitute, it is He who
has redeemed us with His precious blood. And we know, we know that
when He shall appear, we shall be like Him. For we shall see Him as He is.
We will. We will. David said this, and
it can be said of every single born-again, blood-washed believer. David wrote these words, as for
me, I will behold thy face in righteousness. Are you a believer? And you can
say these words, too, as for me. I will behold thy face in
righteousness. I shall be satisfied when I awake
with thy likeness. And always remember, it's all
because of the grace of God. All because of the grace of God.
Heavenly Father, we thank you for again allowing