Scripture:
But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. v12,13
Observation:
Being a child of God is a right given to those who receive, & believe in the name of Jesus. These are people who are born by the will of God.
Application:
We miss this sometimes. We have, through faith, through grace, become children of God. Not just a friend of God, not just some person God is saving, but a child of God.
Before receiving him not a child of God.
Before believing in him not a child of God.
After believing in him, given the right to become a child of God. This is something we have become in our faith, which is a gift. God gives us this gift of faith, and by it we become children of God, heirs with Christ.
This is a powerful truth. Rest in it. Rest that you have, by believing in, not just professing, but by truly believing, you have become a child of God, something you weren’t before, and now the God of the universe will keep you and hold you and mold you and care for you.
If good parents know how to love their children, how much more the God of the universe? But, lest, we think that somehow this love of God, this becoming a child of God, gives you the keys to “your best life now”, let’s be reminded that good parents discipline, and love their children by giving them what they need, not want.
Sometimes my son can’t have a popsicle. He wants one, man, he really wants one. But I can’t. It isn’t for his good. I love him too much to give him this popsicle. Sometimes my son thinks I keep good things from him, but I don’t. He doesn’t realize. I want what’s best for him, not just what’s good for him, or what he wants.
Prayer:
I pray that we would see the joy of being your child. Give us eyes to see Lord.