I recently came across two verses in John’s Gospel that gripped me. The first is John 1:12-13. “But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.” [NLT]
The “right” to become children of God. The KJV uses the English word “power.” The Greek word is “exousia,” and carries with it the idea of authority.
Children of God. Children born supernaturally of God. I am not sure words can convey the sense of wonder I find in those few words. Christ Jesus has given those who surrender to Him, the “right,” the “power,” the “authority” to be children of God.
Me. You. Anyone. It doesn’t matter what we’ve done in our past. It doesn’t matter our social standing, our political affiliation, our financial situation. It doesn’t matter if we are sick or healthy, young or old, weak or strong. It only matters that we believe Jesus Christ is Savior and LORD, the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Of course, that “belief” on Christ Jesus isn’t just words, it is a heart offered to Him, a life given over to Him. I remember a line in the chorus “I’m Yours LORD,” it says … “everything I am, everything I’m not.”
That’s what we give to Him. And in return He gives to us the authority to be children of God, born supernaturally into God’s family. I know we got the best part of that trade.
