When we talk about God or church in intimate, family terms it can sometimes be a little uncomfortable for people. But, when discussing those who believe, the imagery and language of family is used throughout scripture. The family of believers. God as Father. God as Daddy (see post). The believer as a child of God. Believers as brothers and sisters. One verse that clearly articulates the reality of the believer as a child of God is John 1.12.
“To all who receive him, to those who believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God”
The clarity of this statement carries significant meaning and promise. It states that being a child of God is available to anyone – to all who receive him. But, it also indicates that becoming a child of God requires a response from us. He has cleared the way. He has made it possible. The invitation is open to all. But in order for someone to become a child of God, they must first come to a place where the heart is open to receive and then ready to believe.
“To all who receive him, to those who believe in his name…
There are steps in the process toward belief. Rarely do we simply arrive at belief. The path toward belief is a journey. Some people may traverse the path quickly. Others seem to explore the path more cautiously; and some examine the path judicially. But along the journey to belief, we go through the process of receiving him (see post). In order to receive Him, we must first be receptive. Open and willing to receive. Then, once we’ve opened ourselves to receive Him, the path toward belief is made clearer. Our hearts cannot be open to believe Him if they are not yet open to receive Him.
Believing and receiving introduces a Right.
Then, once someone has arrived at belief, God extends to them the right to become a His child. The RIGHT. The idea of us having a Right to become His child adds a layer to what I’ve previously understood about how God brings us into His family. Namely, that being identified as His child was an automatic part of believing & receiving. The act of Justification (Jesus’ righteousness conferred on us) is a theological principal that defines a supernatural, spiritual reality. We were crucified with Christ (Gal 2.20); re-born by the Spirit (Jn 3.5-6) so he old has gone, the new has come (2 Cor 5.17). Becoming a child of God occurs within this new exchange.
Yet, this idea of us having a RIGHT to become children of God introduces another dimension. At one level becoming a child is a spiritual reality that occurs as part of a miraculous supernatural process. On another level, becoming a child is a right we must choose to exercise.