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THE RIGHT TO BECOME CHILDREN OF GOD

"Yet, to all who received him, to those who believed 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"

From this week we will be studying the book of John.  The author is St.  John. He was once a fisherman from Galilee.  He met Jesus probably in his early 30s. He followed Jesus, observed his life, death and resurrection. Many years passed since then.  In his old age he read three other accounts of Jesus—Mark, Matthew and Luke.  What could he say about Jesus? All three authors concluded that Jesus is the Son of God and the Promised Savior. John’s approach was somewhat different. He proclaims that Jesus is the Eternal God. Then, one story after another he explains who this eternal God in flesh is like  Today, we will meditate on Jesus who gives us the right to become children of God.

First, Jesus is the Creator God (1-5). Look at verses 1, 2: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.” In the beginning refers to eternity--before all things were made, God was there. Before time started, God was there. In eternity, Jesus is.  The Word refers to the personal God. To the Hebrews, word was not mere sound; word had power and wisdom. Psalm 33:6 says, "By the word of the Lord were the heavens made." In Greek, "word" is "Logos," which is supernatural knowledge or foundational principle. This Logos is relevant to human reason. In brief, words are the means by which we express out thoughts and feelings to others. The author referred Word to God. Jesus is a living God who speaks and thinks. Jesus was with God the Father in eternity. Here, John’s point is clear: Jesus is God. He is the Everlasting and Mighty God (Isa 9:6-8).  In this way, John leads us all the way back to eternity. We lift up our eyes not the Cross, but to God’s glorious throne first.
Verse 3 says, “Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” Here, "him" refers to Jesus, the eternal God. Through Jesus, everything--from the invisible angels and visible galaxies of the universe—was made. Jesus created all things, including all the human beings. In this vast universe, flowers of the field  vanish people come and go without any trace of significance. While we are alive, we breathe, work, and engage in actions. Daily we strive so hard for good life—education, successes, promotions families, and all the good things in this life. But as we come to God’s presence we know that life is more than sum of all the good things in this life. What is this life about? It is more than what we get. It is more than what we see. It is more than what we experience. Then, what is it? We come to this house of worship to meet God.  We want to find our home.  We want to reclaim our purpose, meaning and value in light of God’s truth.

Look at verse 4. “In him was life, and that life was the light of men.” "Him" refers to Jesus. Life is in Christ. This life is the light of people. In other words, Jesus is the Origin of life. Jesus is the Source of all life. Whatever visible life we see—our faces, our personality, our actions--is not the complete life we have in Christ. Our life is from Christ.  Our life hidden in Christ (Col 2:3). So what we experience in this world is a small portion of the life we have in Christ. In Christ Jesus we have life from God—the life that is not corruptible, perishable but enduring life. This life is most precious of all.  We need to cherish this life.

In USA Today (4/19/07) survey, a very simple question was asked: “What would you do if you were diagnosed with an incurable disease?” These are the responses: (1) 52% would pursue treatment at any cost; (2) 12% would do nothing; (3) 5% would try something they normally would not; (4) 1% would quit their job; (5) 30% do not respond. This life is most precious and is worth saving. At the same time, to many this life is already burdened and heavy. If the end comes, then let it be so.  Struggles of this life take away the joy of this life. In Jesus our true life is hidden. But the world does not know this wonderful life in Jesus.  Verse 5 reads, “The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.” Here, the light refers to the life in Jesus, and the darkness refers to the state of people apart from Christ. The situation of the world is this: they do not understand Christ.
 
Second, Jesus is the True Light (6-11). In the first part, John declared the truth that Jesus the Creator is the Owner of our lives. In this part, John honors John the Baptist who testified Jesus. John was the first witness of Jesus. St. John came to know Jesus through John the Baptist.  He was his first shepherd, mentor and Bible teacher. He never forgot about this.  After he spoke about Jesus eternal God he spoke about John the Baptist—his shepherd.  It was very personal to him.

Look at verses 6-9: “There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world”. John is the forerunner of Jesus. God sent him into the world just a few months before Jesus’ birth. John, before Jesus even spoke about himself, testified about Jesus—directly, clearly and powerfully. All other prophets spoke about Christ indirectly and vaguely.

One day Isaac Newton was almost blinded when he directly looked up to the sun. Jesus is the light.  We may not directly look up to Christ, the True Light. We need a witness to this light. John the Baptist was the witness to Jesus for Apostle John. John the Baptist preached a message of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. John the Baptist was so powerful that people thought he was the Light--the Christ.

Look at verses 10 and 11:“He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.” It is incredible that Jesus the eternal God came to the world.  The world was made through Him. The world did not recognize Him. His people did not know him.  Isaiah cried out, “Hear, O heavens!  Listen: For the LORD has spoken, `I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me.  The ox knows his master, the donkey his owner’s manger, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand. “(Is 1:2,3). 

Have you worked hard for projects? Have you loved anyone?  You stay up many nights. Your ideas become the backbone of the projects. Then, nobody seems to care about what you have done. In fact, some one else takes all the credit! Have you attended any parties where you were totally ignored? People do not recognize your presence. They gather and talk among themselves while you feel excluded. Is this what rejection is about?  This is how many treat God in this world. God has made all things. He prepares all. Behind all the great life’s drama God is there. Yet, God is neither recognized nor appreciated. God is routinely and conveniently excluded in our lives. We behave as if God is irrelevant. In many important decisions God does not count. 

Third, the right to become children of God (12-13).  Look at verse 12: “Yet, to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” Not the whole world rejects Jesus. In fact, many welcome Jesus, the true Light. Many receive Christ. Revelation 3:20 says, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” To receive Christ is to welcome Him. Many also believe in His name. What do they believe? They believe that Jesus, the Creator God, give us the right to become children of God.

The first obvious mark of God’s children is this:  it is to welcome God.  It is to recognize God. In all things we recognize God. Receiving is not one moment action in life. Rather, it is the habits of our heart. We always welcome and recognize God. This is what it means to become children of God. What is the greatest gift that children give to their parents? It is their welcome and recognition.  My mother attends this worship service every Sunday.  She doest not understand most of what I say.  But she comes as prayer servant.  My best gift to her is my welcome, recognition and appreciation. In brief, an obvious sign of being God’s children is our attitude toward Christ. We welcome Christ as he is spoken. We acknowledge Christ as he really is—the eternal and glorious God. 

God's children have many rights and privileges. An American citizen has the right to travel to any part of the world and come back by showing his passport. The passport has the legitimate seal of the US government. God’s children have a seal of God's approval in their spirit. We can freely approach in the presence of God. We all have spiritual passports to the kingdom of God. We have rights to claim the promises of God and live by them. My earthly father did not leave any real inheritance for me. Jesus has prepared a mansion for me. Every good and perfect gift comes from above. Because of this, it is our privilege to ask for anything we need. If we seek, we will find. If we knock, the door will be opened. What if we do not receive what we ask, God has only two reasons for us: (1) God determined that we do not need them; (2) they are on the way.  We will receive them in the right time.

                                                    **                            **
           --------------------------------x----------------------x--------------------------
God in eternity                    We receive        God gives                       God in eternity
    knows us                                Christ        the right to become        loves us
                                                                         His children   
**This may occur almost simultaneously in this life, but according to  verse 12 it is sequential.                                  

As we read verse 12 only, it seems that our decision precedes God's action. After we receive Christ, then God gives the right to become children of God. Does that mean that God simply responds to what we do? The answer is no. God in eternity, even before the creation of the world, knows us. In his eternal mind God has plans for each of us. The visible manifestations show at the right time. We experience God's power and authority that works in us. To emphasize this truth, St. John adds in verse 13.     

Look at verse 13. “...children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” Many Jews thought they were children of God simply because they were Jews--the physical descendants of Abraham. But we do not automatically become children of God by blood relationship (Gal. 3:7).  Have you been waiting inside of an airplane? No amount of wishing, bugging and whining will make it take off.  When things are ready, then those in the drivers’ seat control this.  In the same way, our decisions do not give us the right to inherit incorruptible life from above. No husband makes his wife to be a believer.  God in his mercy may make that happen!  But don’t count on that!  God’s command is clear: “Do you be yoked with unbelievers”

In brief, verses 12 and 13 affirm two positive truths. First, in our salvation, we are actively and personally involved. Salvation is not a handout. We actively participate in this and know what is going on in our spiritual progress. We have assurance about our relationship with God. Second, salvation is of God. God gives us the privileges, power and authority. All these wonderful gifts of salvation belong to God. They cannot be lost. They are secure forever because they are of God. We are born from above.

Because of this glorious truth, the burden of raising up God's children belongs to God. We obey God and study the Bible and pray for those who are ignorant of God. What is the most important achievement in this life?  It is to live and die as God’s children.  What is your purpose of life? Know your rights and responsibilities. Approach God as his children! Pursue lives worthy of the name of God’s children.  God who began a good work in each of us will carry it to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Phil 1:6). Know Christ Jesus the eternal God.  Acknowledge him as the Creator, Owner and Source of life.  Welcome him. Recognize him. Thank him. Respect his presence always. Love him and serve him now.  Be prepared to be in his presence forever. This is the meaning of life. This is the purpose of life.  This is what this life is really about.

                October 21, 2007. Toledo UBF

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®. NIV®;. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.
Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.