Read John 1:9-13

" 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." John 1:12-13

God’s Son, Jesus Christ, that true Light who reveals the truth to all of mankind, came into the world which He made; but His own creatures did not recognize Him. He came to His own people of Israel, but neither did they receive Him as their Messiah and Savior. And, today too, though His Word has sounded forth to the ends of the earth, the people of this world do not know Him as their Maker and Redeemer. Sad to say, even in the churches, many do not receive Him as their own Savior from sin and everlasting punishment in hell!

But some receive Him. Some trust in His atoning death as full payment for their sins, and place their hope for eternal life in His glorious resurrection and ascension! To them, Jesus gives the right and privilege to become God’s children. As the Bible says, "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ...And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." (Galatians 3:26,27,29). Yet these are not children of God by their natural birth, nor by their own desire or will, or that of any other! These believe in Christ and become God’s children because they are born anew of God! God’s Spirit graciously calls them to faith through the hearing of the truth. He raises them up from spiritual death to new life, and they become God’s own dear children, born of Him!

O Spirit of God, open up our hearts and minds to receive the truth and believe in Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God and our Savior. Amen.

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