decision for themselves concerning eternal salvation and their accept ance or rejection of His full and com plete atonement on Calvary’s cross. Q. Oakland, Calif. — “What do you think of a company which lays off a faithful employee after 28 years of service? Now I’m too old to get an other job.” A. On the surface, without more in formation, it would seem both unethi cal and immoral. Unfortunately, such is not an uncommon practice in the world. As Christians, we need to make certain that as we get older we are still giving our employers the full value for their money, even though they may not treat us as well as we feel they should. We would join with this individual in praying that the Lord will open doors for oth er type of work and service. Perhaps there is some labor relations board in the area which could be contacted concerning the firm’s poor policy, and inquiry made as to other availabili ties. Q. Redding, Calif. — “In the Bible it says that Jesus was the Son of God and that we too, are all sons of God. What does this mean? Can anyone be equal with Christ in this respect?” A. First of all, let us underscore that our Lord Jesus Christ, in the strict sense, is the only Son of God. This is indicated throughout the New Testament, from the very time of the announcement to Mary, all the way to His coming again in great power and glory. It would not be proper to use the adverb too in connection with Him or to state that in a similar manner to Him we are sons of God. Christ was God the Son from all eternity. At the incarnation He took on humanity (John 1 :14). We do not say that “man became flesh.” This was uniquely true of the Saviour. The wonderful truth is that we are sons of God by redemption as we
dered for the Lord’s glory. Reward, keep in mind, is never used in refer ence to salvation, but only to our works. That’s why to the unregener ate man, the reward of sin is death: eternal separation from God. Q. Berkeley, Calif. — “Where in the Bible does it say that one way we will know that the coming of Jesus Christ is near is by the budding of the trees?” A. One key passage of this is Mat thew 24, beginning at verse 32, which is from the Olivet discourse. This sometimes has been referred to as the greatest prophetic Bible con ference ever held on the face of this earth. The parable our Saviour gives is that of the fig tree. The parallel passage is Luke 21:29-33. God has given us the issues involved: “Faith will bring eternal life; unbelief and opposition will bring eternal death.” In addition, He also gives us signs of the nearness of His glorious return. Q. Providence, R.I. — “Are parents responsible for the sins of their chil dren before they reach the age of accountability ?” A. There are some things children do which their parents may not be able to help, because we are all born in sin. At the same time, when you display your temper, jealousy, pride and the like, you are accountable in large measure when that little one seeks to follow in your footsteps. They quickly learn how to say and do things displeasing to the Lord. You must train them up in the way they should go so that when they are older they will not depart from it. You have the tremendous responsi bility for their spiritual development. We do believe that children, before they come to the age of accountabili ty, are saved by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. After they reach that age, whatever it may be in their individual case, they must make a
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