THANK GOD FOR HIS BLESSED SPIRIT, THE SPIRIT OF ADOPTION. It is His witness that assures us we are the children of God. Related to Jesus now, we shall inherit with Him by-and-by; not only as brethren of the same family, but as the bride inherits with her bridegroom. Jesus is constituted heir of all things; we are one with Him, and as such, are "heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ." What dignity! What an unspeakable privilege is this! We are heirs of salvation, heirs of promise. Connection with Adam involved us in guilt, ruin, and misery; connection with Jesus brings us righteousness, peace, and everlasting salvation. Now we suffer with Him, but we shall soon be glorified together. Now we taste the cup of His sorrow, but we shall soon drink the cup of His joys. But are we indeed joint-heirs? Are we children of God by faith in Jesus Christ? Do we love our heavenly Father? Are we jealous for His honour and glory? Is sin the object of our hatred, and holiness our desire and delight? If so, Jesus calls us brethren, Jehovah calls us children, and in Jesus, "we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will."

For Meditation:
Children of God, through Jesus' love,
We rise undoubted heirs;
His rich inheritance above,
He with His brethren shares.