My dear readers,

(Excerpt from RPG "Morning & Evening" Jan – Mar 1997, Jan 22 / Jan 23 / Feb 13 / Jan 12).

1. Now are we the sons of God

"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us" (1 John 3:1). Consider who we were – worthless, hateful offenders, and enemies – and we marvel at our adoption into the family of God. "Beloved, now are we the sons of God…" (1 John 3:2). What a royal relationship with high privileges it brings! From the Father now we receive "lovingkindness and tender mercies" (Ps 103:4). To Him we offer our feeble but filial love and obedience. O blessed adoption which we deserve not! How can it be?

All that, and more, we now have through Christ, our Redeemer. But "it doth not yet appear what we shall be" (1 John 3:2). To the world we are nothing, as Paul the Apostle said, "…we are made as the filth of the world…therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not" (1 Cor 4:13, 1 John 3:1). Are you downhearted at times, dear child of God? Things are not what they seem! Be content to be unknown with Him in His humiliation, for shortly we shall be exalted with Him.

"Beloved, now are we the sons of God…" (1 John 3:2) – easy to read but not so easy to feel. How is it with you today? Are you in the depths of sorrow? Is your faith almost gone? Fear not! Trust not in feelings and failings of life. You must live simply by faith, "the faith of the Son of God" (Gal 2:20) who loved us and gave Himself for us. Things may be against us, we may be in the valley of despondency and despair. It is in times like these that we turn to God’s Word: "Beloved, now are we the sons of God…" These words hold brightest hope and contain precious promises. Today, not yet – it doth not yet appear. "But we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him" (1 John 3:2). Like the Lord – renewed, pure, immortal, forever freed from earth’s corruption.

2. No condemnation

Come, dear reader, let us consider what these words mean. Believing in Jesus, we are actually and effectively cleared from all guilt; released from prison, we are no more in fetters, but delivered from the bondage of the law. Freed from sin’s shackles, we walk at large as freemen – all because our Saviour’s blood has purchased for us our full redemption.

Now no sword of condemnation hangs over our head, but we have the commendation of the Father’s love to encourage us to approach His throne of grace. No flames of divine vengeance or the just demand of the Law can threaten us who have been washed, cleansed and made innocent by the blood of God’s own Son. No fear of hell and its everlasting flames haunt us, for there is "… now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk … after the Spirit" (Rom 8:1).

"No condemnation" – O how sweet is salvation’s sound! And sweeter still is the Saviour’s name! To Jesus, our Saviour, we owe our eternal praises and gratitude, for He kept the Law for us, and that perfectly. Then to us He gives all the blessings of perfect obedience, simply because He did for us what we could not do. Now trusting Him, with faith and believing, God imputes to us all the merits of Christ’s obedience to our account – amazing divine transaction!

"A debtor to mercy alone,
Of covenant mercy I sing;
Nor fear with Thy righteousness on,
My person and offerings to bring;
The terrors of law and of God,
With me can have nothing to do;
My Saviour’s obedience and blood
Hide all my transgressions from view."

3. Trust only in the Lord (Heb 3:6-14)

The constant temptation is to rely upon the things which are seen, instead of resting upon the invisible God alone. Christians often look to man for help and counsel, forgetting the noble simplicity of purely relying upon their God. Reader, are you anxious about some temporal matter. Consider this: you trusted in Jesus, and only in Jesus for your salvation. Why then are you troubled? Has your Saviour lost any of His power?

"My care is very great," you say. And so it is, but it is also written, "Cast thy burden upon the LORD…" (Ps 55:22). Look not at thy burden, but look to the Lord, "casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you" (1 Pet 5:7). Prayer makes the difference! "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know unto God" (Phil 4:6). The result? The peace of God which passeth all understanding is yours!

Our God can solve your problem. He who saved you from everlasting death can surely save you from passing evils. This is His promise: "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" (Rom 8:32). Rest on the precious promises of His Word.

Our God is able! Why seek help from another? Why do you take the earth for another foundation? Jesus is our everlasting Foundation, even the Rock which cannot be moved. Build thereon, and be firmly established! Jesus is strong enough to bear any weight. Trust only in Him and He shall bring it to pass. With God nothing is impossible

4. "Come up hither"

Without considering these words in their prophetical context, let us read them as our Lord’s invitation to His sanctified people. To each in his own time shall come the "… great voice from heaven saying … Come up hither" (Rev 11:12). This should be to the saints of God the subject of joyful anticipation. When the call comes, no dread of the unknown or sadness of parting shall cloud the believer’s brow. Rather, we shall leave with joy that cannot be described as we wing our way to the Father

In Christ our Lord we are not called down to the grave, but up to the skies. Our heaven-born spirits long for their native air. Yet the celestial summons may be the object of patient waiting. Our God knows best when to bid us "Come up hither" – the time is not ours to choose. Patience must have her perfect work. God ordains with sovereign wisdom the most appropriate and perfect time for each of us, whether to go or stay.

But until He calls, let us live out our days for Him. There is much yet undone – more sheaves for my Lord’s garner, more jewels for His crown! Think of the souls you and I can win for the Lord. He reminds us: "The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest" (Matt 9:37-38).

While the Lord of the harvest tarries let us busy ourselves about His business. "… look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest" (John 4:35) is our Lord’s urgent call. Pray, dear reader, that He will show you what you can do down here on earth for Him. When work is done, His call will surely come! Until then, let us burn out for Jesus.

Yours faithfully in the Saviour’s Service,

Dr SH Tow, Sr Pastor