1 John 3:2--"Beloved, now are we the sons of God." Gal. 3:26--"For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." See also John 1:12. Sonship is now the present possession of the believer. Strange as it may be, inconceivable as it may seem, it is nevertheless true. The world may not think so (v. 1), but God says so, and the Christian believing it, exclaims, "I'm the child of a King." Formerly we were slaves; now we are sons. 3. OUR SONSHIP WILL BE COMPLETED AT THE RESURRECTION AND COMING AGAIN OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. Rom. 8:23--"Waiting for the adoption, to-wit, the redemption, of the body." Here in this world we are _incognito_; we are not recognized as sons of God. But some day we shall throw off this disguise (2 Cor. 5:10). It doth not appear, it hath not yet appeared what we shall be; the revelation of the sons of God is reserved for a future day. See also I John 3:1-3. III. THE BLESSINGS OF ADOPTION. The blessings of adoption are too numerous to mention save in the briefest way. Some of them are as follows: Objects of God's peculiar love (John 17:23), and His fatherly care (Luke 12:27-33). We have the family name (1 John 3:1; Eph. 3:14, 15), the family likeness (Rom. 8:29); family love (John 13:35; 1 John 3:14); a filial spirit (Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:6); a family service (John 14:23, 24; 15:8). We receive fatherly chastisement (Heb. 12:5-11); fatherly comfort (Isa. 66:13; 2 Cor. 1:4), and an inheritance (1 Pet. 1:3-5; Rom. 8:17). IV. SOME EVIDENCES OF SONSHIP. Those who are adopted into God's family are: Led by the Spirit (Rom. 8:4; Gal. 5:18). Have a childlike confidence in God (Gal. 4:5, 6). Have liberty of access (Eph. 3:12). Have love for the brethren (1 John 2:9-11; 5:1). Are obedient (1 John 5:1-3). F. SANCTIFICATION. I. ITS MEANING. 1. NEGATIVELY--SEPARATION FROM EVIL. 2. POSITIVELY--DEDICATION UNTO GOD. 3. USED OF THE DIVINE NATURE. II. WHEN IT TAKES PLACE. 1. INSTANT. 2. PROGRESSIVE. 3. COMPLETE. III. THE MEANS. 1. DIVINE. 2. HUMAN. 3. MEANS USED. F. SANCTIFICATION. If Regeneration has to do with our nature, Justification with our standing, and Adoption with our position, then Sanctification has to do with our character and conduct. In Justification we are declared righteous in order that, in Sanctification, we may become righteous. Justification is what God does for us, while Sanctification is what God does in us. Justification puts us into a right relationship with God, while Sanctification exhibits the fruit of that relationship--a life separated from a sinful world and dedicated unto God. I. THE MEANING OF SANCTIFICATION. Two thoughts are prominent in this definition: separation from evil, and dedication unto God and His service. 1. SEPARATION FROM EVIL.