SONS NOT SATANS
By Larry White
10/30/2012
God knows our nature. (Jno.2:24-25) He causes us to be born into this world and we have the ride of our lives. Without the experience of incarnation into a vessel made of dirt (our bodies), the majority of us would have seen ourselves as gods and exercised our wills to become Satans in our own right, i.e. adversaries. We would have celebrated the magnificence of "Me". This would have been disastrous both to the individuals and to the universe. Many, while in the flesh, still develop this attitude.
Instead of a celestial beginning, we are all partaking of flesh and blood to see ourselves through the lens of a human life as the egotistical, self-serving slaves to lust that we would have been on our own. God defines sin for us so that we can see ourselves and the disastrous outcome of our actions. In his goodness he provides absolution through his love and grace in the sacrifice of his only Son (Jno 3:16) so that we can repent, changing our minds and actions and come to know God in humility and love. For that reason, he adopts us as his own children. We inherit all that God has - but as sons and not Satans.
Therefore this experience of the flesh is necessary and beneficial to us in coming to God and knowing him. It was also beneficial for Jesus in order to be our perfect representative. So he likewise also took part in the experience.
Heb. 2:14-18
Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared in the same, that through death he might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,
and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For indeed he does not give aid to angels, but he does give aid to the seed of Abraham.Therefore, in all things he had to be made like his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself has suffered, being tempted, he is able [also] to aid those who are tempted.
But this was not an ad hoc action on God's part. He had planned this before he created the world. He has provided everything we need to attain a life with him. He knows our nature and also what we can become with his loving help. He has done all things well.
LW