"But to all who did accept him and believe in him he gave the right to become children of God. They did not become his children in any human way—by any human parents or human desire. They were born of God."
John 1:12
Anyone who has watched some police on TV or maybe even been on the wrong end of the law has heard of our Miranda Rights. This is a powerful statement written so that our rights as Citizens of the United States might not be violated. Here in the first chapter of John, we find an even better right--the right to become a Child of God.
One of the things that we must first understand is that this is not the natural state of every human being. Unlike being born a citizen of the United States, we aren't born naturally a child of God. Having a family full of Believers does not make someone a Christian. This is a privilege bestowed by the grace of God. We do not earn this. We can't make ourselves Children of God. Going to church, reading the Bible, saying a prayer, or doing a multitude of other good things cannot make us Children of God.
The writer of the Gospel of John is pointing to the power of Him who can do all things. He states it simply for us. "He gave them the right." How does this great privilege come? Believing and Receiving. This is the key. Many give mental assent to Jesus and say that He is Lord. But not all who profess to be citizens of heaven are those who possess the rights of a Child of God. Receiving Him is more than saying a prayer, signing a card, raising a hand, or going forward to the altar. The Believer's Right is only given to those who have truly trusted in Him and given their will and their lives to His authority and power.
And what an amazing, awesome, sensational gift this is! We are adopted into the family of God! (Ephesians 1:5) We are called joint heirs with Jesus Christ! (Romans 8:17) We have access to God as our Father! (Ephesians 3:12) We are given the rights and privileges as Citizens of Heaven! (Philippians 3:20) We are given exceedingly great and precious promises! (2 Peter 1:4) "Oh what love the Father has bestowed on us that we should be called the Children of God!" I John 3:1
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