Revealing The Sons of God
“For the earnest expectation of the creation waits for the revealing of the sons of God.” – Romans 8:19
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” With the opening words of scripture, God implied there will come an end.
Male and female, created in the image of God, live out the drama of creation, that moves toward an appointed end. Through Isaiah the Lord declared that he knows the end from the beginning. (Isaiah 46:9-10) John wrote of names, written on the book of life, from the foundation of the world. (Revelation 17:8) To the Romans Paul declared that the creation waits for the revealing of the sons of God.
Jesus declared in parables that there will be a separation of good from bad. Matthew 13 contains the parables of the tares and the net, and chapter 25 has the parable of the sheep being separated from the goats. There, the basis of dividing is having acted compassionately toward those in need – or failing to act. Pride produces self-centeredness that blinds us to the needs of others. How often has concern for self kept us from even speaking a word about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come?
“Some men’s sins are evident, going before unto judgment; and some men also they follow after. In like manner also, there are good works that are evident; and such as are otherwise cannot be hid.”- 1 Timothy 5:24-25 “Wherefore putting away falsehood, speak you truth each one with his neighbor: for we are members one of another.”- Ephesians 4:25 “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”- 1 John 1:8-9 “ For in many things we all stumble.”– James 3:2a
Jesus emptied himself to bear our sins in his body upon the cross. Puffed up churchmen refuse to even consider confessing sins. Before it is too late, we must know that refusing to confess sin is proof of a proud heart, unlike Jesus, lowly in heart. We must say wholeheartedly with Paul, that in my flesh dwells no good thing (Romans 7:18), and that if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ,he is none of his (Romans 8:9). Concealing sin rather than confessing it makes Jesus seem unreal to others. The revealing of the sons of God draws nearer every day. “Today, if you shall hear his voice, harden not your hearts.”– Hebrews 4:7b
9/19/04, #42