To all who received him, to those who believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God — children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
We live in a time and culture of rights. "It's my right to ___." Just fill in the blank. But we don't have a right to be God's child. We are given that right by God's grace. This right came to us at great cost to God. Jesus, God the Son, came to earth, lived, died and was raised from the dead. We receive this grace through faith: God gives us new birth as we trust in Jesus as
Lord and we are baptized and reborn through the power of the Holy Spirit (
John 3:3-7;
Titus 3:3-7). To be born of God - to be born from above, to be "born again" - is the gift of adoption into God's family. This costly adoption brings us all the rights of full heirs in God's family (
Galatians 3:26-29;
Galatians 4:1-7). Let's not take this grace, this blessing, this adoption, this right, for granted! We are God's children right now (
1 John 3:1-3). Let's give thanks for this grace and live like we belong by reflecting our Father's righteous character, gracious compassion, and faithful loving-kindness.
Abba Father, thank you for adopting me into your family. May my life reflect your influence, character, mercy, holiness, compassion, righteousness, and love. I want to be like you, my Father. I want to live like Jesus, my older brother who paid my adoption price. Just as I was born into your family by the power of the Holy Spirit, please fill me more with your Spirit and transform me to be more like Jesus in all I do and say this day. In the name of my older brother Jesus I pray. Amen.
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