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: — John 1:12

We live in a time and place where everyone has rights. “I have the right to…” Just finish the sentence. We don’t deserve to be God’s children, though. God’s grace gives us that right. God had to pay a lot for us to have this right. Jesus came to earth, lived, died, and then was brought back to life. We get this grace through faith. When we trust in Jesus as Lord and are baptized and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit, God gives us a new start (John 3:3-7; Titus 3:3-7). To be born of God, to be born from above, or to be born “again” gives us all the rights of heirs in God’s house (Galatians 3:26-29; Galatians 4:1-7). So let’s not take for granted this grace, this blessing, this adoption, this right. Right now, we are God’s children (1 John 3:1-3). Let’s be grateful for this favor and act like we belong.

 

Thought

We live in a time and place where everyone has rights. “I have the right to…” Just finish the sentence. We don’t deserve to be God’s children, though. God’s grace gives us that right. God had to pay a lot for us to have this right. Jesus came to earth, lived, died, and then was brought back to life. We get this grace through faith. When we trust in Jesus as Lord and are baptized and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit, God gives us a new start (John 3:3-7; Titus 3:3-7). To be born of God, to be born from above, or to be born “again” gives us all the rights of heirs in God’s house (Galatians 3:26-29; Galatians 4:1-7). So let’s not take for granted this grace, this blessing, this adoption, this right. Right now, we are God’s children (1 John 3:1-3). Let’s be grateful for this favor and act like we belong.

 

Prayer

Abba Father, I appreciate you bringing me into your family. May your influence, character, mercy, holiness, compassion, righteousness, and love be evident in my life. Father, I want to emulate you. Please indwell me with your Spirit in order for me to more closely resemble you in everything I do and say today, just as I was born into your family by the power of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’s precious name I pray. Amen.