Nothing thrills my soul more than thinking about that phrase we often find in the Scriptures … child [or children] of God. You can imagine my delight when I opened one of my “Verse of the Day” emails and found this: “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.” [John 1:12 HCSB]
The word translated as “right” in that Scripture is “exousia,” and it means the power to act, or the authority God gives to His children. It can be translated as privilege, power, authority.
To be a child of God is more than just a pretty title. It is a deep down, soul changing position. And that position, while originated in and empowered by God, still requires our cooperation.
Romans 8:29 reminds us that we have a wonderful promise in God, “For those He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son.” [HCSB]
That conformation is not some work that magically occurs. It means that when we surrender our lives to Christ Jesus our LORD, the Spirit of Christ transforms our inner essence from sinner to child of God. Now we cooperate with the Holy Spirit in that inner essence to conform our thoughts, decisions, attitudes, choices, and behavior.
When we do that, we take on the image of Christ and people who see us can see Christ through us. Isn’t that the most thrilling thought! Amen & Amen.
