Mark Thomas, EMW General Secretary
The EMW Summer Call to Prayer
WE HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF KNOWING GOD
During these days we have faced many uncertainties, but let these uncertainties help us to focus on what is certain, and the amazing privilege of knowing God.
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
Romans 8:14-17
When we consider the majesty of God, it can seem like arrogance or lunacy to claim to know him in a real and personal way. But the truth is that eternal life means knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ whom he has sent (John 17:3). The Father, Son and Holy Spirit dwell in an eternal, unchanging relationship of love and delight. And in the gospel we are brought into that relationship!
To be a child of God means that we share in the Father’s character. We become like him in the new birth, and we grow to be more like him in sanctification until we are made completely like him when the Lord Jesus Christ returns.
To be adopted as a son of God means that we share in all the privileges that the Lord Jesus Christ has secured for us. We are accepted in the Beloved, the Father cares for us and provides for us and we can approach the Father in prayer with confidence. He will never cast us off or condemn us – the family ties, the bonds of blood, can never be broken.
To live as God’s children in this world, means to face the same suffering that the Son knew, but as joint heirs with Christ we will share an eternal inheritance in glory. And the high-point of Christian assurance is to know from our hearts that we are the children of God (Romans 8:15-16).
Pray that the Lord would help Christians in Wales to live in the light of the privilege of knowing Him, and to experience well-grounded assurance of their salvation.