We are becoming fully mature sons.
~ Graham Cooke
Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise. I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
~ paul, The Least of The Apostles, in Galatians 3 and 4
Oh beloved, it is true. There is a truth beyond our wildest imaginations. Read it carefully.
Beloved, we (read all of us who yield to the invitation), are being made true brothers of The Son, and true sons of The Father, by the power of His Spirit. The very infinite Maker of the universe(s) is calling us to participate in a fellowship which IS the Triunity of Himself. And if a statement like this does not cause our jaw to drop, and our hearts to beat differently – we are not yet beginning to understand it.
We have indeed been forgiven by the Person and work of Jesus Christ. There is no other who could have ever done the work. The impeccable combination of His perfect humanity and perfect Divinity has not, and will not ever be matched. He is The KING of kings, and the LORD of lords. But, beloved, have you ever considered who the kings and lords in the lower-case of the phrase above, are?
You.
This is a reality so bewildering that the writers of Scripture, even though full of His Spirit, could not put it into a complete set of words. We are to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. But, just as true as this is, G_d is to inherit us. We are a peculiarly and profoundly valuable jewel (each of us), to Him. So valuable, in fact, that this same Father’s Son did go out and buy us for Him at the price of His own Life. And thus we are an:
Infant
Child
Son/Daughter
Instrument
Weapon
Slave
Servant
Friend
Bride
of G_d.
Oh my. What does this mean?
Could this fool of a writer take a guess? It seems to me that the things we never dared to hope about the future, are true.
There is coming a place and moment and relationship so real that it will utterly supercede any of our fears.
The stinging (and right) fear of death we once had will become completely irrelevant.
Joy, the strength for living, will draw us near towards omnipotence.
Peace, the profound agreement on central truths, will bind us together in another layer of everlasting covenant with The One who is Himself our Peace.
Wisdom, the right application of knowledge, will become ours – and only grow as we join the council of the ages, in new creative ventures of our Father.
Love, the stuff of The Trinity Himself, will be ours. No more doubts. No more fear. Totally real. Forever.
Actually though, Hope will be gone. But it will be uneccesary. For everything we ever hoped for, will have come true.
And then it gets better.
The meals at His table
The music of His house
His laughter
His embrace
The open door to His heart
The astounding lack of being in a hurry to be somewhere else.
Home.
Can we see it? We are simply preparing to go Home. We are the sons who are making our way home from a dark and vicious battle, which has been won – but which has left us ever so ready to be away from the fight. And with us, we will bring spoils of the victory He has wrought – to be enjoyed with Him forever.
So beloved, are you ready to go Home? Have you allowed Him to grow you into a son or daughter mature enough to want to be back in your Father’s house? Or, are you still running and rebelling like a child or teenager? Tonight is your night. Time to grow up.
