Topical Bible: Titles and Names of Saints: Children of the Highest

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Topical Encyclopedia

The title "Children of the Highest" is a profound designation found within the Christian Scriptures, reflecting the intimate relationship between believers and God. This title emphasizes the elevated status and identity of the saints as members of God's family, highlighting both privilege and responsibility.

Biblical Foundation

The phrase "Children of the Highest" is rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus instructs His followers on the nature of love and mercy, saying, "But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked" (Luke 6:35). Here, Jesus underscores the transformative nature of divine love, which elevates believers to the status of God's children.

Theological Significance

Being called "Children of the Highest" signifies a profound transformation and adoption into God's family. This title is not merely honorary but reflects a spiritual rebirth and a new identity in Christ. The Apostle Paul elaborates on this concept in his epistles, particularly in Romans 8:14-17, where he describes believers as being led by the Spirit of God and thus becoming children of God, co-heirs with Christ.

Moral and Ethical Implications

The designation carries with it moral and ethical implications. As children of the Most High, believers are called to emulate God's character, particularly His love, mercy, and kindness. This is evident in the call to love one's enemies and to act with generosity and compassion, as outlined in Luke 6:35. The identity as God's children demands a life that reflects His holiness and righteousness.

Eschatological Hope

The title also carries eschatological hope, pointing to the future inheritance and glory that await the saints. As children of the Highest, believers are assured of their place in God's eternal kingdom. This hope is a source of encouragement and motivation to live faithfully in the present age, anticipating the fulfillment of God's promises.

Conclusion

The title "Children of the Highest" encapsulates the believer's identity, calling, and destiny. It is a reminder of the profound love and grace of God, who elevates His followers to the status of His own children, inviting them to partake in His divine nature and eternal kingdom.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 6:35
But love you your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and you shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind to the unthankful and to the evil.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

They Shall be Called the Children of God
... Positively: They have titles of honour ... The wicked have them by providence; the saints
by promise ... He blesses them in their souls, bodies, names, estate, posterity ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/19 they shall be called.htm

Psalm LXXXIII.
... of the congregation of God's people in the titles of many ... nation or people of God,
or His saints, who know ... The meaning of these names is as follows: Madian is ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxxiii.htm

Acts XI
... special reference to character, they were called saints. ... of mystic Babylon, and the
swelling titles by which ... the obligations implied in the names disciple and ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xi.htm

Wisdom and Revelation.
... 2. THE APPEAL. The names and titles of God are ... Adopting, then, the second of these
interpretations, the saints belong to God and are precious in His sight. ...
/.../thomas/the prayers of st paul/vii wisdom and revelation.htm

The Beloved Pastor's Plea for Unity
... calls them by endearing names, by the highest titles which they ... Luke, and John, by
their right names, but must ... By grace alone could the saints in Rome call God ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 39 1893/the beloved pastors plea for.htm

Messiah the Son of God
... for the faith once delivered to the saints, have laboured ... and faithfulness, it is
obvious that these names, when applied ... They are both the titles of MESSIAH. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xxvii messiah the son.htm

The Saints' Privilege and Profit;
... on Aaron's breast-plate was fixed the names of the ... odours, which are the prayers
of saints, and they ... Thus you see what terms, characters, titles, and privileges ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the saints privilege and profit.htm

On Idolatry
... manifest from the Scriptures, in which these titles are read ... festivals, fasts and
pilgrimages, [to angels or saints,] and to swear by their names, and not ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 23 on idolatry.htm

Introduction.
... or Esther composed the books which bear their names, and very ... the testamentary form
we have the titles only of ... of victory and bliss, when "the saints of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/introduction.htm

The Fifth Theological Oration.
... for God resteth nowhere as He doth upon the Saints. ... are slain by your own principle,
the names you rely ... you have implicitly given Him the titles Unbegotten and ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/the fifth theological oration.htm