“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God” (1 John 3:1-2)

It’s an amazing thing that saints, even while they fail God on a regular basis, are loved by God. The Apostle Paul tells you, “You received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God” (Romans 8:15-16). It’s easy to read this, but sometimes for you, not so easy to feel. How is it with your heart this morning? Are you in the lowest depths of sorrow? Does corruption rise within your spirit, and grace seem like a poor spark trampled under foot? Does your faith almost fail you? Fear not, it’s not feelings on which you are to live: you must live simply by faith on Christ. 

 If your feelings scream “I can’t take it anymore!”, you’re in good company. Listen to Paul: “We who are in this tent groan ... that mortality may be swallowed up by life ... For we walk by faith, not by sight” (1 Corinthians 5:4-7). But the Blessed Hope is coming! “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure” (1 John 3:2-3).