Eph 1:5 Predestinating us unto sonship through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will. John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the authority to become children of God, to those who believe into His name, (13) Who were begotten...of God.
[Part 2 of 2]What is it that God the Father desires? According to the New Testament, the Father wants many sons. The Father's concern is with sonship. In order to produce these sons, He has been begetting children. With Him, there need be no limit to the number of children. The more children He has, the better. God the Father has a definite purpose in producing many sons. He is not a foolish father, one without a purpose. God's selection and predestination are according to His purpose. This indicates that God is the unique initiator and originator. Thus, for the church to be in God the Father implies that the church is in God's purpose, plan, selection, and predestination. No doubt, the church is also in God's calling. The church in God the Father is the church in the One who is the initiator and originator. This understanding of the church in the Father is not merely a matter of doctrine; rather, it has much to do with us in our practical experience. A problem among Christians today is that they have many different purposes and plans. There are different initiators and originators. This is not right. We Christians all should have the unique purpose, the purpose of our Father. We should also have the unique plan of the Father. Imagine what would happen if all Christians gave up their own purposes and plans and had only one initiator and originator. What oneness there would be among us all! There would be no division whatever.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Witness Lee, Life-study of Thessalonians, pp. 63-64. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA. Please visit us at www.emanna.com. Send comments to: [email protected].
To unsubscribe from the mailing list, either: Send an email to: [email protected] (No subject or message needed; a blank email will work) or visit www.emanna.com and fill out the unsubscribe form there.
