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Him not. The world did not recognize Him as the Son of God; ultimately, it crucified
Him. If God saw it meet that his Son should be thus afflicted in the world and drink
of such a bitter portion of God`s wrath, writes Cotton, let us not think we shall go
to heaven and partake of those heavenly mansions which Christ has prepared for us,
without also drinking of the same cup that he drank of. Let us account ourselves
happy that God will so esteem us as to make us his sons.
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3.
Our relationship to the future. We cherish a great hope. John goes on to say, It doth
not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be
like him; for we shall see him as he is (1 John 3:2). The prospects for God`s adopted
family are great, for His children will receive a glorious inheritance. They cannot
even imagine the extent of that inheritance. God keeps that hidden, says Cotton, so
that they may (1) be like their suffering Head, (2) have their faith kept in exercise and
be watchful, and (3) be tolerated to some degree in this world, for if God should
allow them to be perfectly holy in this world, the men of the world would not allow
them to live among them long (Deut. 7:22).
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If our present privileges as God`s adopted children are so great that the world
cannot grasp them, our future prospects are so glorious that even we cannot fully
grasp them. As 1 Corinthians 2:9 says, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have
entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love
him. Because God is our Father and we are His adopted children, we have a full
inheritance awaiting us. The best is yet to be. Today we experience great blessings,
despite our infirmities and sins; but one day we shall be in glory, free from sin and
living in perfect communion with God. Our heavenly Father keeps the best surprises
for His children until the end, when He shall turn all their sorrow into joy.
4.
Our relationship to ourselves. The children of the heavenly Father embrace His will
and purpose for them. Every adopted child of God also knows that holiness is an
important part of God`s purpose for his happiness in God`s family. First John 3:3
says, Every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
Cotton draws this doctrine from this text: Every child of God has hope in Christ, to