WHY CHRISTIANS SHOULD ALWAYS THANK GOD
THAT WE BECAME HIS CHILDREN?
JOHN 1:12-13 "But
as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even
to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the
will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."
Introduction
We
should more deeply value our experience of becoming Christians and grow even
more in our love for the Great God the Father, who loved us with a great love.
As
stated in John 3:16, God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son
so that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Often
in a Christian’s life, being a Christian does not seem like a great experience
or a great blessing.
This
is evident in laziness regarding the worship of God, a lack of interest in
serving the Lord, or a lack of concern for reaching out to souls.
We are
instructed in Ephesians 4:21-22 to "put off" the former way of
life—the "old man"—which is corrupt according to deceitful lusts.
EPHESIANS 4:21-22 Eph
4:21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth
is in Jesus:
Eph 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former
conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
Four Great Reasons to Always Be Thankful for Being
Children of God
I. CHRISTIANS ARE PEOPLE WITH GOD’S PRINCIPLE IN THEIR
LIFE
II
Timothy 3:15-16 notes that the Holy Scriptures are able to make one wise unto
salvation and are profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction
in righteousness.
(2 TIMOTHY 3:15-16) 2Tim
3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able
to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
2Tim 3:16 All scripture [is] given by
inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Timothy
was greatly blessed because even as a child, he already knew God’s principles
for his life.
Because
you and I have become Christians, we now have the correct guide for a lifestyle
that is pleasing to God.
Those
who are not saved lack the guidance of God’s principles, which is not pleasing
in the sight of God.
II.
CHRISTIANS ARE PEOPLE WITH GOD’S PURPOSE AND PLAN IN THEIR LIFE
God
has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but
according to His own purpose and grace.
II TIMOTHY 1:9 "Who
hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works,
but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus
before the world began,"
The
life of a Christian is shaped by God after the life of the Lord Jesus—a life
with the purpose of giving glory to God.
We are
His "workmanship," created in Christ Jesus for good works.
(EPHESIANS 2:10) "For
we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath
before ordained that we should walk in them."
Jesus
Christ left us a beautiful example to follow in holy living.
(I PETER 2:21) "For
even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us
an example, that ye should follow his steps:"
Unsaved
people continue in a life of sin that is outside of God's plan.
(EPHESIANS 2:2-3) (V.2)
"Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world,
according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in
the children of disobedience:"(V.3) "Among whom also we all had our
conversation in times past in the lusts of flesh, fulfilling the desires of the
flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as
others."
III.
CHRISTIANS ARE PEOPLE WITH GOD’S PRAYER IN THEIR LIFE
In
John 17:15, Jesus prays not that we be taken out of the world, but that we be
kept from evil.
JOHN 17:15 I pray
not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest
keep them from the evil.
Christians
are very blessed because Christ constantly prays for us to be protected by God
against the evil people in the world.
Jesus’
prayer for us is proof that we have a relationship with God the Father in
heaven.
The
Lord Jesus explicitly stated that He prays for us (Christians) and not for
those of the world.
(JOHN 17:9) "I
pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me;
for they are thine."
IV. CHRISTIANS
ARE PEOPLE WITH GOD’S PROMISE IN THEIR LIFE
Through
His "exceeding great and precious promises," we become partakers of
the divine nature and escape the corruption of the world.
II PETER 1:4 "Whereby
are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might
be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the
world through lust."
God
has given great and important promises specifically to us Christians.
These
include the great promise of eternal life and the hope of glory.
As
Colossians 1:27 says, "Christ in you, the hope of glory".
COLOSSIANS 1:27 Col
1:27 To whom God would make known what [is] the riches of the glory of this
mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
It is
sad that those who are not saved do not have these great promises from God the
Father.
V.
CHRISTIANS ARE PEOPLE WITH GOD’S PROMOTION BECAUSE OF THEIR LOYALTY TO HIM.
James
4:6-10 explains that while God resists the proud, He "giveth grace unto
the humble."
(JAMES 4:6-10) Jas
4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but
giveth grace unto the humble.
Believers
are encouraged to submit to God and resist the devil so that he will flee.
Jas 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God.
Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
By
drawing nigh to God, cleansing our hands, and purifying our hearts, we grow
closer to Him.
Jas 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw
nigh to you. Cleanse [your] hands, [ye] sinners; and purify [your] hearts, [ye]
double minded.
Jas 4:9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let
your laughter be turned to mourning, and [your] joy to heaviness.
When
Christians humble themselves in the sight of the Lord, the promise is that
"he shall lift you up."
Jas 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the
Lord, and he shall lift you up.
Conclusion
Thank
the Lord that you and I have become Christians.
Thank
the person whom God used so that I could come to know Christ Jesus. Amen!
JOHN 1:12 "But
as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even
to them that believe on his name:"
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