"AS A LITTLE CHILD"

Spirit of Prophecy: More Sweet Promises

Here are additional promises which our kind Father has given us. Each one is a little present wrapped in a beautiful box. Open each one—and use it for His glory.

"We have little idea of the strength that would be ours if we would connect with the Source of all strength." Messages to Young People, 105.

"Genuine faith will be manifested in good works; for good works are the fruits of faith. As God works in the heart, and man surrenders his will to God, and cooperates with God, he works out in the life what God works in by the Holy Spirit, and there is harmony between the purpose of the heart and the practice of the life. Every sin must be renounced as the hateful thing that crucified the Lord of life and glory, and the believer must have a progressive experience by continually doing the works of Christ." 1 Selected Messages, 397.

"When this intimacy of connection and communion is formed, our sins are laid upon Christ, His righteousness is imputed to us. He was made sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." 5 Testimonies, 229.

"A union with Christ by living faith is enduring; every other union must perish. Christ first chose us, paying an infinite price for our redemption; and the true believer chooses Christ as first and last, and best in everything. But this union costs us something. It is a relation of utter dependence, to be entered into by a proud being." 5 Testimonies, 231.

"Until the heart is surrendered unconditionally to God, the human agent is not abiding in the true Vine, and cannot flourish in the Vine, and bear rich clusters of fruit." Sons and Daughters of God, 288.

"Connected with Christ, human nature becomes true and pure. Christ supplies the efficiency, and man becomes a power for good." In Heavenly Places, 179.

"The root sends its nourishment through the branch to the outermost twig. So Christ communicates the current of spiritual strength to every believer. So long as the soul is united to Christ, there is no danger that it will wither or decay." Desire of Ages, 676.

"In a thousand ways the inward principles will be manifest. Christ abiding in the soul is as a well that never runs dry." Review and Herald, January 15, 1895.

"If we abide in Christ, if the love of God dwells in the heart, our feelings, our thoughts, our actions, will be in harmony with the will of God. The sanctified heart is in harmony with the precepts of God's law." Acts of The Apostles, 563.

 "We are to keep close to the Source of our strength day by day, and when the enemy comes in like a flood the Spirit of the Lord lifts up a standard for us against the enemy. The promise of God is sure, that strength shall be proportioned to our day." Our High Calling, 125.

 "We cannot for one moment separate ourselves from Christ with safety. We may have His presence to attend us at every step, but only by observing the conditions which He has Himself laid down." Messages to Young People, 115.

"The Lord Jesus loves His people, and when they put their trust in Him, depending wholly upon Him, He strengthens them. He will live through them, giving them the inspiration of His sanctifying Spirit, imparting to the soul a vital transfusion of Himself." That I May Know Him, 78.

"In the Lord we have righteousness and strength. Lean upon Him; and through His power you may quench all the fiery darts of the adversary and come off more than conqueror." 4 Testimonies, 213-214.

"As the will of man cooperates with the will of God, it becomes omnipotent. Whatever is to be done at His command may be accomplished in His strength. All His biddings are enablings." Christ's Object Lessons, 333.

"Men may have a power to resist evil—a power that neither earth, nor death, nor hell can master; a power that will place them where they may overcome as Christ overcame. Divinity and humanity may be combined in them." I Selected Messages, 409.

"Those who believe in Christ derive their motive power and the texture of their characters from Him in whom they believe." Sons and Daughters of God, 299.

"There was to be imparted to the human being striving for conformity to the divine image an outlay of heaven's treasures, an excellency of power, which would place him higher than the angels who had not fallen." Sons and Daughters of God, 243."

"We are living in days of peril. Christ alone can help us and give us the victory. Christ must be all in all to us; He must dwell in the heart; His life must circulate through us, as the blood circulates through the veins. His Spirit must be a vitalizing power that will cause us to influence others to become Christlike and holy." Our High Calling, 60.

"His power awaits the demand of those who would overcome." l Selected Messages, 380.

"All who consecrate body, soul, and spirit to God's service will be constantly receiving a new endowment of physical, mental, and spiritual power. The inexhaustible supplies of heaven are at their command. Christ gives them the breath of His own spirit, the life of His own life. The Holy Spirit puts forth its highest energies to work in heart and mind." 6 Testimonies, 306.

 "There is need of constant watchfulness, and of earnest, loving devotion; but these will come naturally when the soul is kept by the power of God through faith. We can do nothing, absolutely nothing, to commend ourselves to divine favor. We must not trust at all to ourselves nor to our good works; but when as erring, sinful beings we come to Christ, we may find rest in His love. God will accept every one that comes to Him trusting wholly in the merits of a crucified Saviour. Love springs up in the heart. There may be no ecstasy of feeling, but there is an abiding, peaceful trust. Every burden is light; for the yoke which Christ imposes is easy. Duty becomes a delight, and sacrifice a pleasure. The path that before seemed shrouded in darkness becomes bright with beams from the Sun of Righteousness. This is walking in the light as Christ is in the light." l Selected Messages, 353-354.

"Man is, through faith, to be a partaker in the divine nature, and to overcome every temptation wherewith he is beset." Our High Calling, 48.

"We can overcome. Yes; fully, entirely. Jesus died to make a way of escape for us, that we might overcome every evil temper, every sin, every temptation, and sit down at last with Him." 1 Testimonies, 144.

"Talk and act as if your faith was invincible." Christ's Object Lessons, 147.

"God will do great things for those who trust in Him. The reason why His professed people have no greater strength is that they trust so much to their own wisdom, and do not give the Lord an opportunity to reveal His power in their behalf. He will help His believing children in every emergency if they will place their entire confidence in Him and faithfully obey Him." Patriarchs and Prophets, 493.

"There is a great battle to be fought. . but you are not to do the main fighting here. As God's agents you are to yield yourselves to Him, that He may plan and direct and fight the battle for you, with your cooperation. . He knows just how to meet every emergency, and how to guide you through every path of danger. Then why not trust Him? Why not commit the keeping of your soul unto God, as unto a faithful Creator?" 2 Bible Commentary, 994-995.

"When the children of God are struggling with temptation, battling against the passions of the natural heart, faith connects the soul with the only One who can give help, and they are overcomers." Testimonies to Ministers, 161.

"It is not our efforts that bring victory; it is seeing God behind the promise, and believing and trusting Him. Grasp by faith the hand of infinite power. The Lord is faithful who has promised." Review and Herald, December 29, 1910.

"If we will trust Him, and commit our ways to Him. He will direct our steps in the very path that will result in our obtaining the victory over every evil passion, and every trait of character that is unlike the character of our divine Pattern." Our High Calling, 316.

"When Christ is in the heart it will be so soft­ened and subdued by love for God and man that fretting, Faultfinding, and contention cannot exist there. The religion of Christ in the heart will gain for its possessor a complete victory over those passions that are seeking for the mastery." 4 Testimonies, 610.

"Let no one despair of gaining the victory. Victory is sure when self is surrendered to God." 1 Bible Commentary, 1095.

"There needs to be a continual reaching out of the heart after God, a constant, earnest confession of sin and humbling of the soul before Him. Perils surround us; and we are safe only as we feel our weakness and cling with the grasp of faith to our mighty Deliverer." 8 Testimonies, 316.

"Live in contact with the living Christ, and He will hold you firmly by a hand that will never let go." Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing. 119.

"In the whole Satanic force there is not power to overcome one soul who in simple trust casts himself on Christ. 'He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength.' Isaiah 40:29." Christ's Object Lessons, 157.

"The soul that has given himself to Christ is more precious in His sight than the whole world. The Saviour would have passed through the agony of Calvary that one might be saved in His kingdom. He will never abandon one for whom He has died. Unless His followers choose to leave Him, He will hold them fast." Desire of Ages, 483.

"If we are of one mind with God. our will, will be swallowed up in God's will and we shall follow wherever God leads the way. As a loving child places his hand in that of his father. And walks with him in perfect trust whether it is dark or bright, so the sons and daughters of God are to walk with Jesus through joy or sorrow." That I May Know Him, 250.

"If we take Christ for our Guide, He will lead us safely along the narrow way. The road may be rough and thorny; the ascent may be steep and dangerous; there may be pitfalls upon the right hand and upon the left; we may have to endure toil in our journey; when weary. when longing for rest, we may have to toil on; when faint, we may have to fight; when discouraged. we may be called upon to hope; but with Christ as our Guide, we shall not lose the path to immortal life. we shall not fail to reach the desired haven at last.

"Christ Himself has trod the rough pathway before us, and has smoothed the path for our feet. The narrow path of holiness, the way cast up for the ransomed of the Lord to walk in, is illuminated by Him who is the Light of the world. As we follow in His steps, His light will shine upon us; and as we reflect the light borrowed from the glory of Christ, the path will grow brighter and brighter unto the perfect day." That I May Know Him, 253.

"In order to walk without fear, you must know that your hand is firmly held by the hand of Christ. You must not for a moment think there is no danger for you. The wisest make mistakes. The strongest sometimes falter." 2 Selected Messages, 169.

"If we surrender our lives to His service, we can never be placed in a position for which God has not made provision. Whatever may be our situation we have a Guide to direct our way; whatever our perplexities we have a sure Counselor; whatever our sorrow, bereavement, or loneliness, we have a sympathizing Friend. If in our ignorance we make missteps. Christ does not leave us." Christ's Object Lessons, 173.

"The omnipotent power of the Holy Spirit is the defense of every contrite soul. Not one that in penitence and faith has claimed His protection will Christ permit to pass under the enemy's power. The Saviour is by the side of His tempted and tried ones. With Him there can be no such thing as failure, loss. impossibility, or defeat; we can do all things through Him who strengthens us. When temptations and trials come, do not wait to adjust all the difficulties, but look to Jesus, your Helper." Desire of Ages, 490-493.

"Looking unto Jesus, we are safe. Nothing can pluck us out of His hand." Steps to Christ, 72.

"Nothing is apparently more helpless, yet really more invincible, than the soul that feels its nothingness and relies wholly on the merits of the Saviour. By prayer, by the study of His Word, by faith in His abiding presence, the weakest of human beings may live in contact with the living Christ, and He will hold them by a hand that will never let go." Ministry of Healing, 182.

"When the soul surrenders itself to Christ, a new power takes possession of the new heart. A change is wrought which man can never accomplish for himself. It is a supernatural work, bringing a supernatural element into human nature. The soul that is yielded to Christ becomes His own fortress, which He holds in a revolted world, and He intends that no authority shall be known in it but His own. A soul thus kept in possession by the heavenly agencies is impregnable to the assaults of Satan." Desire of Ages, 324.

"Christ is our tower of strength, and Satan can have no power over the soul that walks with God in humility of mind." My Life Today, 316.

"Look constantly to Jesus. Take all your troubles to Him. He will never misunderstand you. He is the refuge of His people. Under the shadow of His protection they can pass unharmed. Believe in Him and trust in Him. He will not give you up to the spoiler. Flee to the stronghold, and learn that the power of Christ to strengthen and to help passes all comprehension. Open the door of the heart, and let Jesus enter, to fill your life with His peace, His grace, His joy." Review and Herald, January 5, 1911.

"While Satan is constantly devising evil, the Lord our God overrules all, so that it will not harm His obedient, trusting children. The same power that controls the boisterous waves of the ocean can hold in check all the power of rebellion and of crime. God says to one as to the other, Thus far shalt thou go, and no farther,' "—3 Bible Commentary, 1141.

"While they were under the divine protection, no people or nation, though aided by all the power of Satan, should be able to prevail against them." Patriarchs and Prophets, 449.

"Abundant grace has been provided that the believing soul may be kept free from sin; for all heaven, with its limitless resources, has been placed at our command." 1 Selected Messages, 394.

"Our only safety is in constant distrust of self, and dependence on Christ." Christ's Object Lessons, 155.

"He is watching over you, and if you are willing to be guided by Him, He will throw around you influences for good that will enable you to accomplish all His will for you." Messages to Young People, 17.

"He who has not sufficient faith in Christ to believe that He can keep him from sinning, has not the faith that will give him an entrance into the kingdom of God." Review and Herald, March 10, 1904.

"Our duty, our safety, our happiness and usefulness, and our salvation call upon us each to use the greatest diligence to secure the grace of Christ, to be so closely connected with God that we may discern spiritual things, and not be ignorant of Satan's devices." In Heavenly Places, 184.

"We should sanctify ourselves as a people and seek strength from God to meet the demands of this time. When iniquity prevails in the world, God's people should seek to be more closely connected with heaven." 4 Testimonies, 583.

 "When we are securely anchored in Christ, we have a power that no human being can take from us. Why is this? Because we are partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." 9 Testimonies, 187.

“Jesus will be the helper of all who put their trust in Him. Those who are connected with Christ have happiness at their command. They follow the path where their Saviour leads, for His sake crucifying the flesh, with its affections and lusts. They have built their hopes on Christ, and the storms of earth are powerless to sweep them from the sure foundation." Messages to Young People, 415.

"Never can we safely put confidence in self or feel, this side of heaven, that we are secure against temptation. Those who accept the Saviour, however sincere their conversion, should never be taught to say or feel they are saved. This is misleading. Every one should be taught to cherish hope and faith; but even when we give ourselves to Christ and know that He accepts us, we are not beyond the reach of temptation." Christ's Object Lessons, 155.

"When man is in fellowship with God, that unswerving purpose which preserved Joseph and Daniel amidst the corruption of heathen courts will make his a life of unsullied purity." Ministry of Healing, 136.

"God has a special work for everyone to do, and each one of us may do well the work which God has assigned him. The only thing we have to fear on our part is that we shall not keep our eyes continually fixed upon Jesus, that we shall not have an eye single to the glory of God, so that if we were called to lay down our armor and sleep in death we might not be ready to give an account of our trust." 2 Selected Messages, 273.

"Let us trust fully, humbly, unselfishly, in God. We are His little children, and thus He deals with us. When we draw near to Him, He mercifully preserves us from the assaults of the enemy. Never will He betray one who trusts in Him as a child trusts in its parents. He sees the humble, trusting souls drawing near to Him, and in pity and love He draws near to them, and lifts up for them a standard against the enemy." Our High Calling, 85.

"Everyone needs to have a personal experience in obtaining a knowledge of the will of God. We must individually hear Him speaking to the heart. When every other voice is hushed, and in quietness we wait before Him, the silence of the soul makes more distinct the voice of God. He bids us, 'Be still, and know that I am God,' Psalm 46: 10." Desire of Ages, 363.

"God must be ever in our thoughts. We must hold converse with Him while we walk by the way, and while our hands are engaged in labor. In all the purposes and pursuits of life, we must inquire, What will the Lord have me to do? How shall I please Him who has given His life a ransom for me? Thus may we walk with God, as did Enoch of old; and ours may be the testimony which he received, that he pleased God." Review and Herald, May 30, 1882.

"If in our ignorance we make missteps, Christ does not leave us. His voice, clear and distinct, is heard saying, 'I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.' " Christ's Object Lessons, 173.

"His children must follow where He has led the way; at whatever sacrifice of ease or selfish indulgence, at whatever cost of labor or suffering, they must maintain a constant battle with self." Gospel Workers, 135.

"Those who surrender their lives to His guidance and to His service will never be placed in a position for which He has not made provision. Whatever our situation, if we are doers of His Word, we have a Guide to direct our way; whatever our perplexity, we have a sure Counselor; whatever our sorrow, bereavement, or loneliness, we have a sympathizing Friend.

"If in our ignorance we make missteps, the Saviour does not forsake us. We need never feel that we are alone. Angels are our companions. The Comforter that Christ promised to send in His name abides with us. In the way that leads to the city of God there are no difficulties which those who trust in Him may not overcome. There are no dangers which they may not escape. There is not a sorrow, not a grievance, not a human weakness, for which He has not provided a remedy." Ministry of Healing, 249.

 "The closer you come to Jesus, the more faulty you will appear in your own eyes; for your vision will be clearer, and your imperfections will be seen in broad and distinct contrast to His perfect nature. This is evidence that Satan's delusions have lost their power; that the vivifying influence of the Spirit of God is arousing you." Steps to Christ, 64.

"None of the apostles and prophets ever claimed to be without sin. Men who have lived the nearest to God, men who would sacrifice life itself rather than knowingly commit a wrong act, men whom God has honored with divine light and power, have confessed the sinfulness of their nature. They have put no confidence in the flesh, have claimed no righteousness of their own, but have trusted wholly in the righteousness of Christ.

"So will it be with all who behold Christ. The nearer we come to Jesus, and the more clearly we discern the purity of His character, the more clearly shall we see the exceeding sinfulness of sin, and the less shall we feel like exalting ourselves. There will be a continual reaching out of the soul after God, a continual, earnest, heart­breaking confession of sin and humbling of the heart before Him. At every advance step in our Christian experience our repentance will deepen. We shall know that our sufficiency is in Christ alone and shall make the apostle's confession our own: 'I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing.' 'God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world,' Romans 7:18; Galatians 6: 14. " Acts of the Apostles, 561.

"Christ always separates the contrite soul from sin. He came to destroy the works of the devil, and He has made provision that the Holy Spirit shall be imparted to every repentant soul, to keep him from sinning." Desire of Ages, 311.

"Those who are really seeking to perfect Christian character will never indulge the thought that they are sinless. Their lives may be irreproachable, they may be living representatives of the truth which they have accepted; but the more they discipline their minds to dwell on the character of Christ, the nearer they approach His divine image, the more clearly they will discern its spotless perfection, and the more deeply will they feel their own defects." Sanctified Life, 7.

Bible Promises for Those who Want to Draw closer

The passages quoted here can refer to various degrees of closeness to God. But, obviously, a deeper closeness and dependence upon God is recommended. A thoughtful reading of these passages will bring courage as you seek a closer walk with your kind Father.

1 — PRESSING IN

Come to God, and press in close. This is what He wants for His earthly children. "Seek the Lord and His strength, seek His face continually." 1 Chronicles 16:11.

"If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14.

"When Thou saidst, Seek ye My face, my heart said unto Thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek." Psalm 27:8.

"Delight thyself also in the Lord, and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass." Psalm 37:4-5.

"When I cry unto Thee, then shall mine en­emies turn back. This I know, for God is for me." Psalm 56:9.

"He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him. I will be with Him in trouble. I will deliver him, and honour him." Psalm 91:15.

"He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer." Psalm 102: 17.

 "Glory ye in His holy name. Let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. Seek the Lord, and His strength; seek His face evermore."  Psalm 105:3-4.

"I love the Lord because He hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because He hath inclined His ear unto me, therefore will I call upon Him as long as I live." Psalm 116:1-2.

"The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear Him; he also will hear their cry, and will save them." Psalm 145:18-19.

"Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding. . then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God." Proverbs 2:3, 5.

"In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:6.

"The prayer of the upright is His delight." Proverbs 15:8.

"They shall cry unto the Lord because of the oppressors, and He shall send them a Saviour, and a Great One, and He shall deliver them." Isaiah 19:20.

"Thou shalt weep no more. He will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry. When He shall hear it, He will answer thee." Isaiah 30:19.

"Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near." Isaiah 55:6.

"Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer. Thou shalt cry, and He shall say, Here I am." Isaiah 58:9.

"It shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear." Isaiah 65:24.

"Then shall ye call upon Me, and ye shall go and pray unto Me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when you shall search for Me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:12-13.

"Call unto Me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not." Jeremiah 33:3.

"The Lord is good unto them that wait for Him, to the soul that seeketh Him." Lamentations 3:25.

"Yea, he had power over the Angel, and prevailed. He wept, and made supplication unto Him." Hosea 12:4.

"It shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered." Joel 2:32.

"Seek ye Me, and ye shall live." Amos 5:4.

"Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought His judgment." Zepheniah 2:3.

"They shall call on My name, and I will hear them. I will say, It is My people; and they shall say, The Lord is my God." Zechariah 13:9.

"Because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth. And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." Luke 11:8-10.

 "And He spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint." Luke 18:1.

"Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man." Luke 21:36.

"The hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth." John 4:23.

"If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." John 15:7.

"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities, for we know not what we should pray for as we ought. But the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." Romans 8:26.

“According to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord. In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him." Ephesians 3:11-12.

"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel." Ephesians 6:18-19.

"Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." Philippians 4:6.

"Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgivings." Colossians 4:2.

"Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." l Thessalonians 5:17-18.

 "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4: 16.

 "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." James 5:16.

"But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost." Jude 20.

2 — THE CHILDREN OF GOD

Here are several Bible verses which reveal God's deep love for His children:

"Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him. " Psalm 103:13.

"My soul is even as a weaned child." Psalm 131:2.

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God." Matthew 5:9.

"Pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you, that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:44-45.

"Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father." Matthew 13:43.

“And Jesus called a little child unto Him, and set him in the midst of them. And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

"Whosoever shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in My name receiveth Me.

"But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in Me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea." Matthew 18:2-6

“And He took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when He had taken him in His arms, He said unto them, Whosoever shall receive one of such children in My name, receiveth Me, and whosoever shall receive Me, receiveth not Me, but Him that sent Me." Mark 9:36-37.

"Verily I say unto you, whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein." Mark 10:15.

"Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest. And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by Him, and said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in My name receiveth Me. And whosoever shall receive Me, receiveth Him that sent Me." Luke 9:46.48.

"Ye shall be the children of the Highest." Luke 6:35.

"He [Caiaphas] prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation. And not for that nation only, but that also He should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad." John 11:51-52.

"The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God." Romans 8:16.

"And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ, If so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together." Romans 8:17.

"The creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God." Romans 8:21.

"It shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not My people, there shall they be called the children of the living God." Romans 9:26.

"For ye are all children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3:26.

 "And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." Galatians 3:29.

"Behold I and the children which God hath given Me." Hebrews 2:13.

 "In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil. Whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother." l John 3:10.

"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world." l John 4:4.

 3 — SONS AND HEIRS

Oh, how great is the love of God for His sons and daughters who call upon Him: "Ye are the children of the Lord your God."  Deuteronomy 14:1.

"I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, keep not back. Bring My sons from far, and My daughters from the ends of the earth." Isaiah 43:6

"Doubtless Thou art our Father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not. Thou, 0 Lord, art our Father, our Redeemer." Isaiah 63: 16.

"I said, How shall I put thee among the chil­dren, and give thee a pleasant land, a goodly heritage of the hosts of nations? And I said, Thou shalt call Me, My Father, and shalt not turn away from Me." Jeremiah 3:19.

"It shall be come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, ye are not My people, there it shall be said unto them, ye are the sons of the living God." Hosea 1:10.

"And they shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him." Malachi 3: 17.

"If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children; how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him?" Matthew 7:11.

"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." John 1:12­13.

"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." Romans 8:14.

"Ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." Romans 8:15.

"The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. And if children, then heirs, heirs of God, and joint­heirs with Christ." Romans 8:16-17.

"They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted for the seed." Romans 9:8.

"What agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

"Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." 2 Corinthians 6: 17-18.

"Ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3:26.

"To redeem them which were under the [condemnation of the] law, that we might receive the adoption of sons." Galatians 4:5.

"And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father." Galatians 4:6.

"Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ." Galatians 4:7.

 "Having predestinated [foreknown] us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself." Ephesians 1:5.

 "That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world." Philippians 2:15.

"That being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." Titus 3:7.

“Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?" Hebrews 1:14.

 "Whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth. and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth." Hebrews 12:6 (7, 9).

"Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath." Hebrews 6:17.

"By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith." Hebrews 11:7,

"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God. Therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not." 1 John 3:1,

"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is." 1 John 3:2.

"He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son." Revelation 21:7.

4 — WALKING WITH GOD

We are actually talking about an extremely close, ongoing walk with God in this book. Here are several Bible passages which bear on this subject. Walking with God is not an unusual event, reserved only for a few holy men:

“And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters." Genesis 5:22.

"By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death. . Before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God." Hebrews 11:5.

"Noah walked with God." Genesis 6:9,

"The Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before Me, and be thou perfect." Genesis 17:1.

"The Lord, before whom I walk, will send His angel with thee, and prosper thy way." Genesis 24:40.

"Ye shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear Him, and keep His commandments, and obey His voice, and ye shall serve Him, and cleave unto Him." Deuteronomy 13:4,

"Ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies?" Nehemiah 5:9.

"If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee, . a man on the throne of Israel." 1 Kings 2:4.

"All people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever." Micah 4:5,

"He hath shewed thee, 0 man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" Micah 6:8.

"The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips. He walked with Me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity." Malachi 2:6,

"I have set the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved." Psalm 16:8.

"Teach me Thy way, 0 Lord; I will walk in Thy truth. Unite my heart to fear Thy name." Psalm 86:11,

"If his children forsake My law, and walk not in My judgments; if they break My statutes, and keep not My commandments; then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes." Psalm 89:30-32.

"I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living."—Psalm 116:9.

"Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that walketh in His ways,"—Psalm 128:1.

 "Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto Thy servant David my father great mercy, accord­ing as he walked before Thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with Thee." 1 Kings 3:6.

"Remember now how I have walked before Thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in Thy sight." 2 Kings 20:3,

“And he [Josiah] did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in all the way of David his father, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left." 2 Kings 22:2.

"Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" Amos 3:3.

 "They were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless." Luke 1:6.

 "Then had the churches rest throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied." Acts 9:31,

"Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death. That like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." Romans 6:4.

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Romans 8:1.

"Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh." Galatians 5: 16.

“And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour." Ephesians 5:2.

"We walk by faith, not by sight." 2 Corinthians 5:7.

"If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another." 1 John 1:6-7.

"He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked." 1 John 2:6.

CONTINUE 

CONTENTS