06.07.2018 Views

Waggoner on the Gospel of John - Ellet J. Waggoner

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

everything.<br />

The Firstborn<br />

"Whom He did foreknow, He also did<br />

predestinate to be c<strong>on</strong>formed to <strong>the</strong> image <strong>of</strong> His<br />

S<strong>on</strong>, that He might be <strong>the</strong> firstborn am<strong>on</strong>g many<br />

brethren." (Rom. 8:29) "As many as received Him,<br />

to <strong>the</strong>m gave He power to become <strong>the</strong> s<strong>on</strong>s <strong>of</strong> God,<br />

even to <strong>the</strong>m that believe <strong>on</strong> His name." (<strong>John</strong><br />

1:12) This is why we rejoice in <strong>the</strong> fact that Jesus<br />

<strong>of</strong> Nazareth, who was "born <strong>of</strong> a woman, born<br />

under <strong>the</strong> law" (Gal. 4:4), is <strong>the</strong> S<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> God. It<br />

shows us that although we are born to low estate,<br />

subject by nature to all <strong>the</strong> infirmities that are <strong>the</strong><br />

inheritance <strong>of</strong> man born <strong>of</strong> woman, we may<br />

become s<strong>on</strong>s <strong>of</strong> God, own bro<strong>the</strong>rs <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Lord<br />

Jesus Christ, and sharers <strong>of</strong> all His fullness.<br />

Christ is <strong>the</strong> firstborn am<strong>on</strong>g many brethren.<br />

Thus He is <strong>the</strong> heir; but we are joint-heirs with<br />

Him. It is not as in earthly estates, where <strong>the</strong> eldest<br />

is <strong>the</strong> sole heir to <strong>the</strong> titles and estates, and <strong>the</strong><br />

younger bro<strong>the</strong>rs must look out for <strong>the</strong>mselves.<br />

7

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!