+III. The doctrine of the Bible.+--Man is God's child, and the sin of the man consists in perpetually living as if it were false. To be a son of God is one thing; to know that you are and call Him Father is another. Baptism authoritatively reveals and pledges to the individual that which is true of the race. 1. _This view prevents exclusiveness and spiritual pride._ 2. _Protests against the notion of our being separate units in the Divine life._ 3. _Sanctifies materialism.--F. W. Robertson._ Ver. 26. _The Children of God._ +I. We are all children.+ +II. We are all children of God.+ +III. We are all children of God through faith.+ +IV. We are all children of God in Christ Jesus.+--_Dr. Beet._ _God's Children._ +I. If thou be God's child, surely He will provide all things necessary for soul and body.+--Our care must be to do the duty that belongs to us; when this is done our care is ended. They who drown themselves in worldly cares live like fatherless children. +II. In that we are children we have liberty to come into the presence of God.+ +III. Nothing shall hurt those who are the children of God.+ +IV. Walk worthy of your profession and calling.+--Be not vassals of sin and Satan; carry yourselves as King's sons. +V. Our care must be to resemble Christ.+ +VI. We must have a desire and love to the Word of God+ that we may grow by it. +VII. We must have afflictions, if we be God's children,+ for He corrects all His children.--_Perkins._ Vers. 27, 28. _The Christly Character_-- +I. Acquired by a spiritual union with Christ.+--"Baptised into Christ." +II. Is a complete investiture with Christ.+--"Have put on Christ." +III. Is a union with Christ that absorbs all conventional distinctions+ (ver. 28).