Better than Children

Friday, June 07, 2002

 

Dear Family:

 

Today I was thinking how wonderful God is to me to let me be the Father of such wonderful sons. But, he even went further and let me have a daughter, daughters-in-law and a son-in-law. Then he turned around and went even further and gave me Blake and Bridgit, my two beautiful grandchildren.  That is just almost too wonderful for any one father to be permitted to enjoy. Today as I was talking to Blake, I heard him say, "Papa," and "love you, too."  Now, Tim may not have heard those words but I did!  If you don't believe me, you can just ask Blake. He will tell you.

 

I wanted to share some thoughts with you about another father and his children.

Gal 3:24-26 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. 26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. (NKJ)

God wanted us to be his sons and daughters but because he is spiritual and perfect and we were mortal and carnal, we couldn't be his sons and daughters. So he gave us the law that we might understand what it takes to be his children. Because we cannot be perfect He himself became mortal like us and lived a perfect life for us so we could become his children. Isn't that great? Then he went even farther. He sent the holy spirit to live in our hearts when we accept his son as our lord and savior and that made us his children.

Rom 8:14-17 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs-- heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. (NKJ)

Gal 4:6-7 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. (NKJ)

He made us His children, not step-children, not adopted but his children eligible to be heirs with his own son.

I Jn 3:1-3 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. (NKJ

What unspeakable love He has shown to us in making us his children. As His children, someday we will get to know him as He is and be like him. And in the interim we have total access to come into his presence and tell him our concerns and ask for his favors.

Isa 56:5 Even to them I will give in My house and within My walls a place and a name better than that of sons and daughters;." (NKJ)

He has given us a place in His house, within His walls and a name better than that of sons and daughters. Speaking as a father and knowing my love for my children, I don't know how it can be better than that but that is what he says. Better than that of sons and daughters.

 

Last night while visiting with Buddy (my brother) by phone, we were discussing some of the things that we would like to get across to people who may be facing their time of departure from this life to the next. While many things came to mind, one was at the forefront. That is the thought that, in the twinkling of an eye we will be changed forever to our eternal state and at that moment we will know all the mysteries of God. In that very moment we will be in His presence and be able to know His holiness, fullness and glory. What an awesome and indescribable thought.  That we will be in the presence of the God and creator of the universe, and able to know and understand the love that caused him to create us and redeem us back from the world for himself. What love that he would even leave that heavenly place to come down to this world in the form of what he had created, go through all that we experience, even the pain and fear of death. He did all of these things to bring us to himself. It made me think of Ivan Parker's song, "Glory is waiting."

Glory is waiting

I'm unworthy to stand in the sweet glory land
but I know there's a place in that city for me

A personal palace from the savior's own hand
now shines in great beauty for my eyes soon to see.

 

Holy angels are gathering and spreading their wings
waiting to greet me they're preparing to sing

Precious loved ones are stirring around heaven's throne
Their longing for the day when God calls me home

 

Oh what a meeting in heaven to be
what a glad moment to see

 

They've made preparation for a happy celebration
Glory is waiting for me.

They've made preparation for a happy celebration
Glory is waiting for me Glory is waiting for me.

This is one celebration I don't want to miss. And when I get there I want to start immediately to prepare another celebration for all those who couldn't come with me when I came. I want to be there with this great host, waiting to celebrate the arrival of all my family and friends. I think of the popular political slogan, "None left behind."  This has got to be our goal for all our friends and loved ones.

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