Galatians 4:6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. I. THE DIGNITY OF BELIEVERS. Adoption gives us the rights of children; regeneration gives us the nature of children: we are partakers of both of these, for we are sons. 1. This sonship is a gift of grace received by faith. (1) Faith brings us justification. (2) Faith sets us free from the bondage of the law. (3) Faith is the mark of sonship in all who have it. 2. Adoption comes to us by redemption. 3. We now enjoy the privilege of sonship. Not only sons, but full-grown sons. II. THE CONSEQUENT INDWELLING OF THE HOLY GHOST IN BELIEVERS. 1. Here is a Divine act of the Father. 2. He comes as the Spirit of Jesus. 3. He takes up His residence in the believer's heart. Coming into the central fortress and universal citadel of our nature, He takes possession of the whole. 4. This wonderful blessing is fraught with marvellous results. Sonship sealed by the indwelling Spirit brings us peace and joy; it leads to nearness to God and fellowship with Him; it excites trust, love, and vehement desire; and creates in us reverence, obedience, and actual likeness to GOD. III. THE FILIAL CRY. 1. It is the Spirit of God that cries. 2. It is literally the cry of the Son. 3. This cry in our hearts is exceedingly near and familiar. A cry is a sound which we are not anxious that every passer-by should hear; yet what child minds his father hearing him cry? 4. How earnest a thing is a cry. 5. The most of this crying is kept within the heart, and does not come out at the lips. At all times and in all places we can lift up our hearts and cry to God. (C. H. Spurgeon.) Parallel Verses KJV: And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. |
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