God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son." He gave Him not only to live among men, to bear their sins, and die their sacrifice: but He gave Him to the fallen race. Christ was to identify Himself with the interests and needs of humanity. He who is one with God has linked Himself with the children of men by ties that are never to be broken. Jesus is "not ashamed to call them brethren"; our sacrifice, our advocate, our brother, bearing our human form before the Father's throne, and through eternal ages, one with the race He has redeemed,--the Son of man. And all this was done that man might be uplifted from the ruin and degradation of sin, that he might reflect the love of God, and share the joy of holiness.
The price paid for our redemption, the infinite sacrifice of our heavenly Father in giving His Son to die for us, should give us exalted views of what we may become through Christ. As the inspired apostle John beholds the height, the depth, the breadth of the Father's love toward the perishing race, he is filled with adoration and reverence; and failing to find suitable language in which to express this love, he calls upon the church and the world to behold it. "Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the Sons of God." What a value this places upon man! Through transgression, the sons of men become subjects of Satan. Through faith in the atoning sacrifice of Christ, the sons of Adam may become the Sons of God. By assuming human nature, Christ elevates humanity. Fallen men are granted another trial, and are placed where, through connection with Christ, they may indeed become worthy of His name, "sons of God."
Such love is without a parallel. Children of the heavenly King! Precious promise! Theme for the most profound meditation! The amazing love of God for a world that did not love Him! The thought has a subduing power upon the soul, and brings the mind into captivity to the will of God. The more we study the divine character in the light of the cross, the more we see mercy, tenderness, and forgiveness, blended with equity and justice, and the more clearly we discern innumerable evidences of a love that is infinite, and a tender pity surpassing a mother's yearning sympathy for her wayward child.
"Every human tie may perish,
Friend to friend unfaithful prove,
Mother's cease their own to cherish,
Heaven and earth at last remove;
--but no change, can attend Jehovah's love. BTS, December 1, 1908 par. 1-3
And after you suffer for a short time, God, who gives all grace, will make everything right. He will make you strong and support you and keep you from falling. He called you to share in his glory in Christ, a glory that will continue forever. 1 Peter 5:10 (New Century Version)