Morning By Morning #78

You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 3:26

From the pen of Charles Spurgeon:

The fatherhood of God is a subject of common knowledge to all His children. Yet do you often find yourself saying, like Little-faith did in The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan (1628 – 1688), “0 if only I had the courage of Great-heart! I wish I could wield a sword as valiantly as he does. But, alas, I stumble at every turn and I’m even afraid of shadows.”

Listen, Little-faith, Great-heart is God’s child, but you are as well. And Great-heart is not one bit more His child than you are. Peter and Paul, apostles we think of as highly favored, were of the family of the Most High and so are you. In fact, a weak Christian is just as much a child of God as a strong one.

This cov’nant stands secure,

Though earth’s old pillars bow;

The strong, the feeble, and the weak,

Are one in Jesus now.

John Kent, 1766 – 1843

All our names are in the same family register. One of us may have been given more gifts of grace than another, but our heavenly Father has the same tender heart of love toward us all. One of us may do greater works for Him than another and, thus, may bring more glory to his Father, “yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 11:11) is just as much a child of His as one who stands amid the King’s “mighty men” (2 Sam. 23:9). May this truth bring us joy and comfort when we “draw near to God” (Ps. 73:28 KJV) and say, “Our Father” (Matt. 6:9).

Yet while knowing this brings us comfort, may we never be content with weak faith, but may we ask as did the apostles, “Increase our faith!” (Luke 17:5). No matter how feeble our faith may be, if it is true faith in Christ, it will ultimately take us to heaven. But if it is weak, we will not bring much honor to our Master along the way and neither will we experience abundant joy and peace.

If you desire to live for Christ’s glory and to be joyful in serving Him, then seek to be filled with “the Spirit of sonship” (Rom. 8:15) more and more completely until “perfect love drives out fear” (1 John 4:18).

From the pen of Jim Reimann:

Today Spurgeon reminds us of the blessing of being a member of the family of God but encourages us never to be content with weak faith. While considering our role in God’s family, it would be wise to consider that it comes with certain responsibilities, accountability, and suffering. In fact, the following passage is the only use of the term “the family of God” in the entire Bible, and it is focused on the suffering, judgment, and godliness of believers:

If you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God… So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

1 Peter 4:16 – 17, 19

We praise You, Lord, that You have made us “heirs according to the promise” (Gal. 3:29) “that we might receive the full rights of sons” (Gal. 4:5).