New Believers Bible - Flipbook - Page 94
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A21
HOW YOU CAN KNOW GOD
essence, you have been given the full rights of sonship in the family of God as
though you were born that way. The story of the Prodigal Son illustrates this
(Luke 15:11-32). The wayward son thought that after leaving home, he would
no longer be considered a son but would instead be treated as a hired servant.
Much to his surprise, when he made the long journey home, his father welcomed him and smothered him with kisses. He then gave orders to bring out
the best robe and to put a ring on his finger, signifying full rights as a son. That
is exactly what God has done for you! Take some time now to examine three
Scripture passages that assure you of your adoption into God’s family.
1. God Disciplines His Children (see Hebrews 12:5-9, page 1122).
Recognizing you are now a child of God is not some distant hope but a
present reality. One of the ways God will remind you of this is by correcting
you and bringing you back into line like a loving father when you stray away
from him.
Before we were believers, we may have felt no sense of guilt for certain
things we did or did not do. But now that we are Christians, God’s Holy Spirit
shows us the way to live, which includes correcting us. He does this not
because he hates us but because he loves us as his own dear children.
Understanding this truth should help us in the way we behave.
2. You Have an Approachable Father (see Galatians 4:6, page 1060). The
Aramaic word translated “dear Father” is abba, which is a word of affection
that a young child would use endearingly toward his or her father. A western
equivalent of that phrase would be “papa” or “daddy.” God does not want to
be viewed as some distant, uninterested father but as a loving, approachable
father to whom you can turn at any time because you are his child.
3. His Promises Are Not Based upon Your Feelings (see 1 John 5:11-13,
page 1147). There will be times as a Christian when you may not “feel” God’s
presence. You may even be tempted to doubt that he has come into your life.
But 1 John 5:13 does not say, “I write this to you who believe in the Son of
God so that you may feel you have eternal life.” This is because feelings come
and go. They fluctuate. Nor does the Bible say, “I write this so that you may
hope—if God is in a really good mood—that you have eternal life.” It says, “so
that you may know. . . .” Eternal life is yours! Stand on God’s promise to you.
You are forgiven, justified, adopted into his family, and assured of salvation.
Now that is reason to rejoice!
To find out more about God, turn to “Who Is God?” on the next page in the
Cornerstones section.
