MAMMA, what did papa mean when he said he had a claim on the Norton property?” asked Frank Elton.
“He meant he had a right or title to part of it,” replied Mrs. Elton.
“I suppose that is the reason why he calls a person who is trying to get anything a claimant,” remarked Frank.
This explanation was not very clear, but Mrs. Elton let it pass, thinking she would return to the subject some other time. That evening, when the children were repeating their verses before retiring to rest, she asked,
“Frank, what do you think is our claim to salvation?”
The boy thought for a moment, but he had been well instructed, and answered at last—
“Our being sinners.”
“Right,” returned his mother, much pleased. “‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.’ He says, ‘I came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance,’ and it was the reproach to His enemies— ‘This Man receiveth sinners.’ Now what do you think gives us a claim on God’s favor, and to heaven?”
Without any hesitation Frank answered, “What Jesus did for us.”
‘’True again,” said Mrs. Elton. “It is written to them who receive Christ, ‘to them gave He power’ (that is, ‘the right,’) ‘to become the sons of God, even to them who believe on His name.’ Remember, we are entitled to the blessings God has to bestow when we become His children ‘by faith in Christ Jesus.’”
ML 06/18/1916