in them something of the likeness of the
creative Father; and, blessed be His name! that they are all children of
God because He loves and provides and cares for every one of them.

All that is blessedly and eternally true; but it is also true that there
is a higher relation than that to which the name 'children of God' is
more accurately given, and to which in the New Testament that name is
confined. If you ask what that relation is, let me quote to you three
passages in this Epistle which will answer the question. 'Whoever
believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God,' that is the first;
'Every one that doeth righteousness is born of God,' that is the second;
'Every one that loveth is born of God,' that is the third. Or to put
them all into one expression which holds them all, in the great words of
his prologue in the first chapter of John's Gospel you find this: 'To as
many as received Him to them gave He power to become the sons of God.'
Believing in Christ with loving trust produces, and doing righteousness
and loving the brethren, as the result of that belief, prove the fact of
sonship in its highest and its truest sense.

What is implied in that great word by which the Almighty gives us a name
and a place as of sons and daughters? Clearly, first, a communicated
life, therefore, second, a kindred nature which shall be 'pure as He is
pure,' and, third, growth to full maturity.

This sonship, which is no mere empty name, is the aim and purpose of
God's dealings, of all the revelation of His love, and most especially
of the great gift of His love in Christ. Has that purpose been
accomplished in you? Have you ever looked at that great gift of love
that God has given you on purpose to make you His child? If you have,
has it made you one? Are you trusting to Jesus Christ, whom God has sent
forth that we might receive the standing of sons in Him? Are you a child
of God because a brother of that Saviour? Have you received the gift of
a divine life through Him? My friend, remember the grim alternative! A
child of God or a child of the devil! Bitter words, narrow words,
uncharitable words--as people call them! And I believe, and therefore I
am bound to say it, _true_ words, which it concerns _you_ to lay to
heart.

III. Now, still further, let me ask you to look at the glad recognition
of this sonship by the child's heart.

I have already referred to the clause added in the Revised Version, 'and
such we are.' As I