Day 45: What is the Father God doing IN Christ THROUGH the Holy Spirit?
Acts 2:39
For the promise is for you and your children, and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call.
In the present times, God the Father, in His goodness, is calling men and women from all nations to see the glory of the Son. The Truth of Jesus the Son’s identity is confirmed by the work of the Holy Spirit. Father-God has sent His Son to save us from sin, death, and corruption and He is now calling many to Himself through the work of the Spirit.
The Truth about reality, about life, is being proclaimed in the Gospel—the “Good News” that our Savior has come and has provided a whole new way of life for anyone who will place their ultimate confidence in Him. Of course, the message requires a response. God’s love given to us freely in Christ requires that we respond. The Gospel gives us hope and this hope should give birth to faith. When we place our faith in Christ, we are reborn and we are welcomed into God’s family.
When we place our trust and confidence (faith) in Jesus, the Spirit confirms that we do belong to God as His children, as His sons:
Romans 8:16–17
The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, 8:17 and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—seeing that we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.
Galatians 4:6
And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, who calls “Abba! Father!” {NET}
There is no greater title that we can be given other than “Child of God” and “Son of God.” Jesus was God’s One Unique Son—there is no one else like Him. “In Christ,” we too are all beloved “sons”—we have been called and adopted and reborn into Father-God’s family. Even women are referred to as “sons” in the New Testament to show that they too receive a share in Christ’s inheritance. Women did not have the same privileges as men in the first century, but in Christ, these cultural differences do not apply. When we place our faith in Christ, we are welcomed into Father-God’s family as His beloved children.
In the present age the Father is also making sure that His children become the people he desires them to be:
1 Thessalonians 5:23–24
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 5:24 He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it.
Scan back over or reflect on this week’s reading and ask yourself:
1. What have I learned that gave me new ideas and images?
2. How do these truths call me to change the way I am thinking?
3. How do these truths call me to trust Father-God more?
*You can find a complete list of all the MilktoMeat readings here.
