The most wonderful thing in the world is the love of God. It made
it possible for us to be related to God. And the term fatherhood of God
applies only to those who have been saved.
Eph 2:1-8. Each child of God is a new creation because of the new
nature within. But like birth itself, this is just the beginning of life
and its relationships. Let us consider a few:
1. Children. The Apostle John refers to believers repeatedly as
children, teknia, born ones. This is a tender and intimate term for
the relation between God and believers. But the happy, normal thing is to
expect growth, not just physically, but spiritually. During His earthly
ministry the Lord called the apostles servants in
John 13:13; friends in John 15:15
; and brethren in John 20:17.
The relationship became progressively more intimate. But there is another
relationship found in Galatians and Romans.
2. Sons. This is the status that children grow up into and assume
the responsibility for. In ancient times under the law a child was no better
than the household servants, even though he was the heir apparent. If ancient
Israel had understood the Law properly it would have served to teach them
the true character and attributes of God and prepared them for the advent
of Christ. The Law was the servant schoolmaster, but Israel failed to grow
up, which was tragic.
But the greatest relationship for believers to enter into and enjoy today
can be found in the Prison Epistles. This is commonly referred to as:
3. Members of His Body. Eph 5:21 thru 33. The relationship between
Christ and the Church is illustrated by marriage. The marriage relationship
of spiritually minded believers illustrates the intimacy of spiritual relationship
between Christ and those who have become members of His Body. In the sight
of God husband and wife are reckoned as one flesh. Married believers
have an unparalleled opportunity and privilege to gain spiritual insight
and understanding because the marriage bond is God's object lesson and teaching
device. The key word used throughout Eph
5 is love. If husbands love their wives as they should it will make
it easier for the wife to obey the Word of God in submitting herself to him
as the head of the home.
