ADDRESSES ON ROMANS
address Him as "Abba, Father." The Spirit leads us along the pathway of sonship. He gives us that sense of filial relation that is expressed in the words "Abba, Father." The word "we" in verse 15 indicates also that Jews and Gentiles, the whole family of God, may call Him "Father." In Christ Jesus "the middle wall of partition" between Jew and Gentile has been broken down (Eph. 2: 14). I once heard of a father in Illinois who had a child who was deaf. and, therefore, had not learned how to speak. He took her to a school where they teach these children to speak as well as it is possible for those to do who can not hear the inflection of the voice. He left her there, then returned when they sent for him. The child was watching for him; and when she saw her father, she ran to meet him and embraced him say~ ing, "Abba," or "Papa." The man was so happy that he could not control his emotions. My Christian friend, God longs for us to realize our sonship. We can not describe the joy that fills His heart when we speak to Him in praise and prayer, saying, "Abba, Father." And this we can do because the Holy Spirit leads us and teaches us how to address Him. "The Spirit himself (R.V.) beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs: heirs of God, and joint*heirs with Christ: if so be that we s1.dfer with him, that we may be also glorified together" (Rom. 8:16, 17). When Paul utters the words, "glorified together," he goes into heights of ecstasy. We are going to be "glorified together" with Christ. Think of that! "Heirs of God!" What does that mean 1 I can tell you what it means a thousand years from now. But have you read of the new "eye" for the great telescope here in Los Angeles? The glass cost one and one*half million dollars. It will be ground for four years. Why? Only to allow you_and me to view our estate! This universe is ours because it belongs to God, and we are heirs of God and joint*heirs with Christ. I believe that the day of the coming of the Lord is rapidly [Page 147
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