See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! For this cause the world doesn’t know us, because it didn’t know him.
Behold the condescending love of the eternal Father, that He is not ashamed to call us sons, we who by nature are heirs of sin and curse, by practice children of corruption and ingratitude. The world does not know our dignity or advancement; walking by sight, it cannot perceive what we possess in Christ or what we are entitled to.
AI summary
Commenting on 1 John 3:1-3
God's free love toward us is so great that He adopts us as His children; this dignity is not to be esteemed by the judgment of the flesh, for the world knows it not, being ignorant of God the Father Himself.
AI summary
God makes us His children from pure bounty alone, not because we merit it; this great favor should kindle in us desire for purity and conformity to His image. The sophists who say God foresees the worthy to adopt are plainly refuted, for then the gift would not be gratuitous, and our salvation rests on adoption flowing from His love, not our works.
AI summary