All Children of God by Faith in Christ Jesus
Bishop Hall. Galatians 3:25-29 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.… I. A WONDERFUL AND AN INEXPLICABLE PRIVILEGE. What an honour (Proverbs 17:6)! What an advantage (Romans 8:17)! In this name we have — 1. A spiritual right to all the creatures of God (1 Corinthians 3:21-23). 2. An interest in God Himself (Isaiah 49:15, 16; 1 John 4:16). 3. The service and guardianship of angels (Psalm 91:11; Matthew 18:10; Hebrews 1:14). 4. A certain and infallible claim to eternal glory (Colossians 1:12; Matthew 25:34). II. THE MEANS OF THE ENJOYMENT OF THIS PRIVILEGE. 1. This privilege is not natural to man. By nature we are (1) children of this world (Luke 16:8); or worse, (2) a seed of falsehood (Isaiah 57:4); or yet worse, (3) children of unrighteousness and darkness (1 Thessalonians 5:5); or yet worse, (4) sons of wilful disobedience (Ephesians 2:3); or worst of all, (5) children of wrath (Ephesians 2:2). 2. This enjoyment may be obtained by (1) Adoption (Ephesians 1:5); (2) Regeneration; not of water only, so we are all sacramentally regenerated; but of the Holy Ghost (1 John 1:12, 13; John 3:5). 3. Union with Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 Corinthians 4:15; James 1:18). 4. By means of faith as saith the text. III. HOW SHALL WE KNOW THAT WE ENJOY THIS PRIVILEGE. Every child of God is — 1. Like his Father (1 Peter 1:15, 16); (1) He is merciful; are we cruel? (2) He is righteous; are we unjust? (3) He is slow to anger; are we furious? (4) He is abhorrent of evil; do we take pleasure in wickedness? 2. Bears a filial answering to a paternal love. 3. Reverences his Father (Malachi 1:6). 4. Is obedient to his Father. 5. But beyond this there is the witness and guidance of the Holy Spirit of our Father. (Bishop Hall.) Parallel Verses KJV: But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. WEB: But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.