Again, the Bible says quite differently. Believers are said to be new creatures. 2 Cor 5:17. What can that mean except that we are NOW the sons of God, when before belief we weren't?
Where does the Bible specify WHEN one becomes a son of God, if not at belief in Christ?
12 But as many as received him,
to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
John 1:12-13
We who believe are granted the power, the right to become sons of God.
Now we are children of God,
by faith.
However, the bible defines for us that faith is the substance of things
hoped for, the evidence of things
not seen. Hebrews 11:1
By definition, if we still have faith,
we are in fact hoping for salvation, hoping to become sons of God.
For now we are sons of God by faith.
Paul makes this point clear.
19 For the earnest expectation of the creation
eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected
it in hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.22
For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23
Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. 24 For
we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees?25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for
it with perseverance.
...but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees?25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for
it with perseverance.
...why does one still hope
for what he sees. - Why does one still hope for what he already has?
But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.
Again Paul comes out and clearly says -
10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do,forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. 16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.
17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. 18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things. Philippians 3:10-19
It is those who are worthy to attain that age and the resurrection, who are sons of God and have become like the angels, having an immortal body that will never die.
35 But those who are counted worthy to attain that age, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage; 36 nor can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. Luke 20:35-36
Now we who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, eagerly wait for it with perseverance, and looking forward to those things which are ahead.
To be continued...
JLB
