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The Fundamentals “apart from us” not to be “made perfect” as sons and as “worshipers.” More than one prayed, “Teach me to do Thy will, for Thou art my God; let Thy good Spirit lead me into the land of Uprightness” (Psa. 143:10). But there was then still lacking among men the consummate Reality and perfect Illustration of a Son of God. When at last, all righteousness and holy virtues appeared in a Life of filial love and obedience, even in Christ “the first-born of many brethren,” then the Mold and Image of the spiritual life of the saints of the old covenant, who were wait ing for sonship, was seen perfect and complete. I t was pre-eminently the life of a Son of God and not only of a righteous man; of a Son ever rejoicing before the Father, His whole being filled with filial love and obedience, peace and joy. In ways Godward and manward, in self-denial and in full surrender to His Father’s will, in hatred of sin and in grace to sinners, in purity of heart and forgiveness of injuries, in gentleness and all condescension, in restful yet ceaseless service, in unity of purpose and faultless obedience—in a word, in all excellencies and graces, in all virtues and beauties of the Spirit, in light and in love, the Lord Jesus set forth the mold and substance of the life spiritual, divine, eternal. 3. Redemption must precede both the sonship and the gift of the Spirit. This is very clearly seen in the Apostle’s argument on the great subject: “God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, that He might redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons God sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father” (Gal. 4:4-6). The word “adoption” signifies the placing in the state and relation of a son. I t is found in Romans 9 :4 ; 13: IS, 23; Gal. 4 :5 ; Eph. 1:5. In the writings of John believers are never called sons, but “children” ( “born ones”), a word indicating nature, kinship.
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