there is a higher and nobler kind of birth than that into the realm of nature. The first birth is natural, the second is spiritual. "Howbeit," says the apostle, "that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual." (1 Cor. xv. 46.)
That which is first in the order of importance, is always last in the order of time. The fruit comes after and never before the flower. The development of the heavenly is always subsequent to that of the earthly or corporeal life. The angel is formed out of, and therefore subsequent to, the man. Consequently those relationships which are spiritual in their nature, or which result from regeneration, must be superior to those resulting from natural generation. They must be akin to the relationships existing in heaven. Accordingly the Lord desires that we shall all become his children—children of the Heavenly Father—his spiritual children, of course. And He tells us how we can become such, or what we must do; and among other things, that we must be willing, if need be, to sunder the ties of natural kindred,—be willing to forsake father, mother, brothers, sisters, wife, children, and whatsoever is dearest to the natural man, for his sake. He counsels his disciples to call no man their father upon earth; adding: "for One is your Father which is in heaven; and all ye are brethren." And at another time, "stretching forth his hand toward his disciples. He said: Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother and sister and mother." (Matt. xii. 49, 50.)
