Made in His Likeness, We Are Jesus' Jewels - Part 729

We are His jewels. "They shall be Mine," says the Lord of hosts, "On that day, I will make them My jewels. I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him." (Malachi 3:17) The scriptures encourage us to meditate upon these things, giving ourselves wholly to them; "that thy profiting may appear to all. Indeed, take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee." (Ephesians 4:15-16 / I Timothy 4:15)

The point about how much our Lord God and Saviour loves us is further elaborated on in Galatians chapter four. Herein, it describes the heir as a servant -- particularly when the heir/servant is seen as a child. This perception is made even when the child may in actuality be lord of all. That is, he/she is under tutors and governors until the time appointed by the father.

This same scenario can be likened to you and I. When we were children, we were in bondage under the elements of the world. But when the fulness of time was come, God sent forth His Son (made of a woman and made under the Law) to redeem those under the Law that we might also be received -- the adoption of sons. 

Therefore, because we are now His sons, God sends forth the Spirit of His only begotten Son into our hearts, crying "Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant -- but a son -- and if a son -- then an heir of God through Christ." (Romans 8:15) In other words, when we accept Jesus into our hearts, we become sons and daughters of the most high King. There is no higher status than to become a friend and heir of the Most High. 

So, howbeit then, when we knew not God, we did service unto them which by nature are no gods, and then now, after we have known God, or rather are known of God, turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? "Tell me, ye that desire to be under the Law, do you not hear the Law?" (Ephesians 4:21) 

In essence, this is a question that we continually wrestle with in our earthly situations. However, as it is written, Abraham had two sons -- the one by a bondmaid and the other by a free woman. He who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh but he that was born of the free woman was by promise. 

"Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answers to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.

But we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. As then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

Therein is our hope and peace -- that we who trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe are His jewels. Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free. (Galatians 5:1)  in the offering plate.