He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the right to become children of God… (John 1:11-13 AMP)
The profound truth of the Gospel is this: God invites us to become His children through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. From the moment He stepped into the world, Jesus, the Creator of all things, faced rejection from those He called His own. Yet, His mission was not thwarted. Instead, He extended His arms to welcome anyone who would believe in Him—granting them the right to become children of God.
The Heart of the Gospel
This passage reveals the depths of God’s love and the richness of His grace. Jesus offers not just forgiveness, but transformation. Those who believe in Him are not born into God’s family through human means—neither by lineage, personal effort, nor the will of others. Instead, they experience a supernatural birth, a work of God Himself. This is the fulfillment of Ezekiel 36:26, where God promised, “Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you.”
Receiving Christ: The Key to Sonship
The focus keyphrase of this message is simple yet profound: becoming children of God. This transformation begins when we receive Jesus, trust in His name, and rely on Him completely. To “receive” Christ is more than an acknowledgment of His existence; it is to welcome Him into every part of our lives. As Revelation 3:20 declares, “Behold, I stand at the door [of the heart] and continually knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him [restore him], and he with Me.”
Adoption into God’s Family
The privilege of becoming children of God is not merely symbolic. It is an eternal reality. Romans 8:15 proclaims, “For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading again to fear [of God’s judgment], but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons [the Spirit producing sonship] by which we [joyfully] cry, ‘Abba! Father!’” This adoption gives us access to the Father’s love, His protection, and His inheritance.
To those who believe in Jesus, God says, “You are Mine.”
A Call to Transformation
As children of God, our lives must reflect His character. Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life].”
This spiritual transformation is both an identity and a calling. We are sanctified, renewed, and set apart for His purposes. This is why the world must see in us a reflection of His light, for “You are the light of [Christ to] the world” (Matthew 5:14 AMP).
Pressing Into God’s Presence
To fully embrace our identity as children of God, we must draw nearer to Him daily. James 4:8 encourages us, “Come close to God [with a contrite heart] and He will come close to you.” Pursuing God means surrendering ourselves completely to His will and seeking His presence above all else.
It is in His presence that we are transformed.
A Divine Call to You
Beloved, hear this truth: God has given you the right to be His child. This is not something you can earn; it is His gift of grace. Will you receive it? Will you press into Him, trust Him, and allow Him to transform you? Today is the day to say yes to the One who calls you His own.
A Prayer for Transformation
Heavenly Father,
We stand in awe of Your love and mercy. Thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, to give us the right to become Your children. Lord, help us to fully receive this gift, to trust in Your name, and to walk as children of the light. Transform our hearts and renew our spirits daily. May our lives reflect Your glory and draw others to You.
In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.
Let us pursue Him with all our hearts, for we are not merely His creation; we are His children, born of God and set apart for His glory.