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you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time" (I Peter 1: 3). Beloved, now are we the Sons of God, and 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. And every man that hath this hope in him, purifieth himself, even as He is pure" (I John 3: 2).

CHILDREN OF GOD CREATED ANEW.

THE Scriptures also tell us, that the children of God are created anew. David prayed, "Create in one a clean heart, O God" (Ps 51: 10). God says, "I will put a new Spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh" (Ezek. 11: 19). "A new heart also will I give you, and a new Spirit will I put within you; and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh" (Ezek. 36: 26). It is written, "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold all things are become new, and all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ" (II Cor. 5: 17). "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision, availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature" (Gal. 6: 15). "For by grace are ye saved through faith: and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them" (Eph. 2: 6-10). Reader, have you been born anew? Created anew? Have you been "renewed in the Spirit of your mind?" Have you "put on the new

man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness' (Eph. 4: 24)? "The new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him" (Col. 3: 10).

CHILDREN OF GOD MADE ALIVE FROM THE DEAD.

THE Scriptures tell us that the children of God are born again, are created anew, and also, made alive from the dead. No stronger language can be used to show that the work of redemption is entirely, from beginning to end, of God. No child has ever caused its own birth; no creature has created itself; no dead thing has ever brought itself to life. In Ezekiel we have a vivid description of the state of the natural man, and of the church at times. He saw a valley full of bones and they were very dry. And He was commanded to say unto them, "O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus saith the Lord God unto these bones, "behold I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live." *** "And ye shall know that I am the Lord." He prophesied accordingly, and, "behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone." * "The sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above; but there was no breath in them." He was commanded to prophecy again, and he did so, "and the breath came into them and they lived." (Ezek. 37:1-14). "Wherefore he saith, awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and

**

Christ shall give thee light." (Eph. 5: 14). Jesus says, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth my Word, and believeth on Him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life" (John 5: 24). "He that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him" (John 3: 36). Believers in Christ Jesus are told, “You hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ (by grace ye are saved); and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in Heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Eph. 2: 1).