children of the world, in fact the children of the devil. This is the actual situation which must not be obscured by the truth that is contained in the general fatherhood of God over men, a fatherhood made inoperative by sin. The rebellious child, poisoned by sin, has been justly disinherited by the Father. He can no longer call God his Father. So serious and vital is the restoration to the favor of God that it is spoken of by Jesus as a new birth. “Except a man be born anew,