The Marks of Sonship - Part Two

Posted 7/23/14 by Donald Barnhouse
SCRIPTURE
John 1:11-14
 
He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

LESSON

The word dwelt literally suggests putting up a tent, indicative of temporary residence. He "tented" with us for a while. In the Old Testament, God "tented" with man in the temporary Tabernacle in the wilderness. Later, He took up a more permanent residence in the Temple until it was destroyed.
 
God came in Jesus Christ and "tented" for thirty-three years. When we were dead in our trespasses and sins, He came, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of man. And that was not all. "Being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross" (Phil. 2:8). By this we can know that God is not some far distant, impersonal force. By this I know that God loves me.
 
What does this loving God expect from those to whom He came? Upon those who believe, God puts two marks of sonship.
The first mark is the right to become a son of God. Many who speak of the Fatherhood of God are either stealing a privilege they know is not theirs, or they have been deceived into believing that they have a privilege which has never been granted to them. We read in John 1:12, "But as many as received him, to them gave he the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name."
 
What does it mean-to "receive Him"? The same thing that it means to receive a gift someone offers us-we put out our hand and take the proffered gift. So, when we "receive Christ," we acknowledge that God has given us eternal life. Therefore, acting on this conviction, we take God at His word. We have "power" to become sons of God.

STUDY QUESTIONS

  • How does the incarnation of Christ more fully manifest his “nearness” to His creation?
  • What does it mean to be a son or daughter of God? Is it only having eternal life? 
  • What is the “power” that is given to us as believers when we become “sons of God”?