We have before observed, that one leading blessed thought in the Epistle of John is this, that the breach made by Adam’s fall is more than repaired in Christ. We have not here our judicial restoration, but our moral restoration. Paul gives us the judicial restoration, but John the moral.
In Paul’s writings we have much about righteousness and a little about life; in John’s we have life all through, and he shows our present condition to be far beyond that which Adam lost. Adam had God as creator-the framer of the world and of Eden—and that was a very blessed thing. It was a blessed condition to be able to stand naked in the presence of God. But you have your God as Redeemer, a far richer way than Adam knew Him! You have Him as Redeemer, and as Father, Son, and Spirit. You have the relationship of a child, far beyond that of Adam in innocency.
This third chapter opens with sonship. Your sonship far exceeds that of angels. They are sons in virtue of creation, having never lost their first estate. You have a sonship, by adoption; and now, even your very nature is superior to that of Adam. Adam’s nature was innocence-yours is righteousness. God cannot put you higher. “Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.” Therefore the world does not know you, any more than it knows Him. It is an atheist world; yes, an atheist world that had its Maker in it, and yet knew Him not.
And here we might dwell a little on the fullness of Scripture. Matthew gives us the history of the unbelieving Jew rejecting his Messiah; John shows the atheist world, not knowing its Saviour. No; and it does not know you either. Oh wonderful place of sympathy and connection with Christ!
Verse 2. — “Now are ye the sons of God.” Tell me, can you ever be more accepted, more pardoned, more received, than now? Glory will yet have more to do, but grace has done its business. Both grace and glory have taken you up. If you were sick, you would like to see a skillful physician; if you wanted anything made, you would put your material into the hands of a good workman. Grace and glory are your workmen, and I ask you, Could you be better off?
You are here told of these two wonderful workers. Grace has done her utmost; glory shall work by and by. We know that when Jesus shall appear, we shall he like Him; you will reflect Him. As surely as the moon reflects the sun, so the Church will reflect Christ.
(To be continued.)
Hymn.
O God! how precious unto Thee
Is Thy beloved Son,
In whom Thou lost perfection see,
Thy holy, blessed One!
When He, in flesh, the desert trod,
He lov’d to do Thy will;
His bosom glow’d, His feet were shod,
Thy pleasure to fulfill.
The sole-begotten, He reveal’d
Thyself, unto Thy praise;
“The Father,” until then conceal’d,
Was seen in all His ways.
As in His life, so in His death,
He was devoted still—
For us, in love, resigned His breath,
Obedient to Thy will.
He glorified Thee on the earth,
Thy work by Him was done;
And Thou, who knewest all His worth,
Did’st glorify Thy Son.
Now crown’d and seated on Thy Throne,
He is Thy joy and rest;
And we who are, through grace,
Thine own, In Him are fully bless’d.
He’s preciousness itself to Thee,
To us He’s precious, too,
Who in Him every beauty see,
And Thine own glory view.