WHAT CAN YOU KNOW? Devotion 25 of 32
"We know that we are of God."
To be "of God" equates to being "born of God." Some more contemporary versions render the text, "We know that we are GOD'S CHILDREN" (NRSV), and "We know that we are CHILDREN OF GOD" (NIV). The meaning of the text is that we are acutely aware that God is the Source of our new life in Christ Jesus. We have been "BORN of God" (1 John 3:9; 4:7; 5:1,4,18). Jesus said of those who "receive power to become the sons of God," "Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but OF GOD" (John 1:13).
From one point of view, God has "QUICKENED US together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath RAISED US UP together, and MADE US SIT TOGETHER in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: (Eph 2:5-6). He raised us up from death in trespasses and sins, delivering us from a life in which we were bondslaves to Satan, who worked in us at will (Eph 2:1).
This marvelous transaction is stated yet another way, emphasizing the same thing: "But OF HIM are ye in Christ Jesus, who OF GOD is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: that, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord" (1 Cor 1:30-31). It is God Himself who has put us into Christ, locating us in the Domain of blessing. Then, having placed us in Christ, He made Him our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. Thus we came to comprehend, be right in His sight, have Divine utility, being justly and effectively redeemed from the power of the enemy.
Again, hear it affirmed: " . . . the Father . . . who hath DELIVERED US from the power of darkness, and hath TRANSLATED US into the kingdom of His dear Son" (Col 1:12-13). The coin of redemption has two sides. First, we are delivered from the power of darkness, in which we were held fast, "having no hope and without God in the world" (Eph 2:12). Second, God conveyed us in the Kingdom of the Son of His love (NKJV), bringing us into the domain of safety, growth, and everlasting advantage.
That, and more, is involved in being "OF GOD." We are "His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus" (Eph 2:10). This is a wonderful bit of knowledge to possess, and appears to be as rare as it is wondrous. Notwithstanding, this rich reservoir of knowledge if available to every child of God. No person in Christ needs to go haltingly through life, wondering whether he is in Christ or not, accepted by God or not, or whether or not his name is written in the Lamb's book of life.
Confidence that we are the sons of God is not a spiritual luxury. It must be seen as a necessity, and thus the object of Satan's continual attack. If our adversary can bring us to doubt that we are "of God," he will have opened the door to a whole host of difficulties, disadvantages, and liabilities.
Our Lord's first recorded temptation involved Satan challenging that He was the Son of God – "If Thou be the Son of God" (Matt 4:3,6; Luke 4:3,9). And, when He was upon the cross that point was once again challenged – "If Thou be the Son of God" (Matt 27:40).
Since "the servant is not greater than his Lord" (John 13:16; 15:20), we should expect Satan to make every effort to convince us we are NOT the children of God. Even though the professed church does not appear to know it, our adversary knows that when we are not confident of our relation to God, we are more vulnerable to his devices.
Earlier in this Epistle, the Spirit spoke in different language concerning the matter of knowing we are of God. "My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that WE ARE OF THE TRUTH, and shall ASSURE OUR HEARTS before Him" (3:19-20). That assurance, or spiritual knowledge that we are "of God," has an incalculable effect on the way we live. It changes the way we read the Scriptures. It impacts upon what we pray for, and how we pray for it. Hope thrives in the midst of such knowledge, enabling the believer to triumph over the most difficult circumstances.
Do you know you are "of God?" Do you know that you are "born of God?" The salvation of God provides for such knowledge. It is not a luxury, but is the norm of the Kingdom. This is involved in "they shall ALL know Me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them" (Jer 31:34; Heb 8:11). If you are in Christ Jesus you are somewhere in "from the least of them unto the greatest of them." In this knowledge, you can face the most fierce assaults of the devil, and gain the victory. You can also obtain the greatest blessings, and be aware of the presence and guidance of the Lord.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, help me to see my relation to You in Christ Jesus more clearly than any other relationship I sustain.
Tomorrow: