But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
We live in a time and culture obsessed with individual rights. "It's my right to ___." Just fill in the blank. But none of us has the right to be God's child on our own merit, status, or position. God's grace gives us that right. This right came to us at great cost to God. Jesus came to earth, lived, died, and was raised from the dead. We receive this grace through faith (
Ephesians 2:8-10). God gives us new birth as we trust in Jesus as Lord (
Romans 10:9-10). And we get to be baptized into Christ Jesus and share in his death, burial, and resurrection (
Romans 6:3-14). We are born a new child of God through the power of the Holy Spirit (
John 3:3-7;
Galatians 3:26-29;
Titus 3:3-7). To be born of God, to be born from above, to be born "again" (
John 3:3-7) means we are adopted as children into God's family with all the rights of heirs and as co-heirs with Christ Jesus (
Romans 8:14-17;
Galatians 4:1-7).
Abba Father, thank you for including me in your family. May my life today reflect your influence, character, mercy, holiness, compassion, righteousness, and love. I want to be like you, my Father. So just as I was born into your family by the power of the Holy Spirit, please fill me with your Spirit today so that I will reflect you in all I do and say this day. I want to be a child that reflects my Father's nature. In the name of my older brother Jesus, I pray. Amen.
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