Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1901-11-27
CHRISTIAN ENDEAvOR.


I-Lpmmeut by heN. y. II. Doytes
TorIc.-children of Ged.-Rom. viii, 14l7
The theme of this glorious eighth
chapter of Romans is the security of
believers. The salvation of those who
have renowned the law and accepted
the gracious offers of the gospel Is
shown to be absolutely certain. The
whole chapter is series of arguments,
most beautifully arrayed, in support of
this one point Paul takes as his text,
ssThere is therefore now no condemna-
ton to them which are in Christ Je-
sus, who walk not after the flesh, but
after the Spirit" and develops it so
forcibly and so conclusively that the
weakest and most doubling child of
God cannot but be convinced and
strengthened by his burning words.
The second argument produced in
support of the general theme that be-
levers are assured of salvation is the
fact that they are the children of God.
AS many as are led by the Spirit of
God. they are the sons Of God" Being
the children of God, we are sure of
eternal life, for we are "heirs of God
and joint heirs with Christ" and eter-
nal life is one of the priceless inherit
ances which the children of God shall
enjoy in common with Jesus Christ.
The glorious fact that believers in
Christ are the children of God is abun-
dainty proved: 1. The Scriptures testi-
fly to it. .. We are conscious of it our
selves. If we have the feelings of chill
dren toward parent-of reverence, of
confidence and of love-toward God.
we know that we are the children of
God. 5. The Holy Spirit testifies to this
fact. "The Spirit itself beareth wit
ness with our spirit that we are the
children of God" In some way. though
we do not know how, the Holy Spirit
''beareth witness with" or corroborates
the testimony of our own feelings that
we are the children of God.
We become the children of God
through the work of the Holy Spirit.
By the Spirit we are born again-chang-
ed In our natures and made in the like
ness of the divine nature-and when
thus changed we are adopted into the
family Of God; hence the Spirit is call
ed the spirit of Adoption" And as a
result of this adoption we no longer
fear God, but address Him in conf
dence and love as Abba. Father"
The general results of divine sonship
are that we a possess the nature or
disposition of God, (2) are the peculiar
objects of His love and favor and 80
are heirs of God. These are priceless
prerogatiyes. but they carry with them
great responsibilities. The child of a
king has the name and the honor of a
king to sustain. His opportunities, his
privileges are great, but so also are his
responsibilities. This is even more
true as applied to the children of God.
By word or deed we honor or dishonor
the heavenly King, whose children we
are. How important it is, considering
our exalted positions, that we should
know thoroughly the duties as well as
the privileges of divine sonship and,
knowing them. should perform them.
THE PRAYER MEETING.
Have a Bible reading covering the
whole phase of this subject as set forth
in the Scriptures.
BIBLE READINGS.
Matt xii. 1850; John /. 11-13: Xxx.
Hi; II Cor. vi AIS; Gal iv, IL;
Eph. i, SO; Heb. xii. 1-10; JAS /. II, is:
John iii. 1-3; V. 1-3: Rev. xxi. 1-3.