John 1:12-13

NASB	NLT	`VOICE
12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name,	12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God	12 But for all who did receive and trust in Him, He gave them the right to be reborn as children of God.
13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of a man, but of God.	13 They are reborn – not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.	13 He bestowed this birthright not by human power or initiative but by God’s will.

More Than Belief – It’s a Rebirth

In John’s context, receiving Jesus is more than just acknowledging who he is; its about creating a personal relationship and commitment with him. In the Jewish culture, a name represents the essence and character of a person. Believing in the name of Jesus means acknowledging Him as the Messiah, the Son of God, and the Savior of the World. It’s not just intellectual, but it’s a deep-seated trust and reliance on Jesus for salvation (our rescue from the bondage of sin). The right or authority to become children of God is a legal and relational term, indicating a change in status from being outside of God’s family to being fully adopted as His Children. This new identity of being God’s children isn’t based on our effort or family tree, but on God’s grace alone and our faith in Jesus. 

New Identity, New Purpose

As children of God, we have a new identity. We are no longer who we once were, even though our physical selves may remain the same. We are born again, into a new spirit that replaces the old. We put to death the old habits that caused sin and rebellion in our lives and replaced it with who God truly is. We are called as his new creation to reflect Christ into the world. To show the world what it means to live a loving, compassionate, and merciful life as Christ showed us. To be able to help those in need, to sacrifice for the good of the marginalized, and to speak up for those who have lost their voice. No matter what we can do, it’s nothing without Christ. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 13, without love, even our most passionate efforts are just noise. (rough paraphrase, but you get my point). Being called a Christian means to represent Christ to all those who have not heard of him. As Pastor Mike Todd of Transformation Church says, “We are called to re-present God to the lost and to the found.” We represent ourselves when we become a Christian, and therefore, we are to represent Christ to those who are in need of a relationship with an almighty savior, healer, and protector.

It’s Not Bloodline – It’s Belonging

In the Jewish context, lineage and ancestry were significant, as seen through the genealogies of the Old Testament. This re-birth transcends any familial or ethnic ties. It connects to the original promise God made to Abraham in Genesis 12:3 – that all nations would be blessed through his seed. In the Greco-Roman world, lineage and social status were often determined by human will and desire (such as adoption and marriage). However, this spiritual birth is distinct from human intentions or actions. It shows how it’s a gift from God. It’s an act of regeneration, where people are made new creations in Christ. 

Living as a Child of God

Our identity is rooted in being children of God. We need to elevate this more in our everyday life. What titles do you cling on to? Husband? Wife? Mom? Dad? Friend? Boss? This list could go on, but our focus should remain on making sure that “Child of God” leads the way. It’s based on understanding who we are in Christ that shapes how we can be the best spouse, parent, friend, coworkers, and more. When we learn to understand how we can take shape the teachings of Christ, apply them to our reborn selves, and then take those new principles out into the world – then we are truly embracing ourselves as Children of God. It’s not easy, nor can it be pretty. It may cause judgments from others, losses of relationship, and even a deviation of career, but at the end of the day – we are called to follow God, not anything of this world. 

Reflection Questions

1. What does it mean to you to be a “child of God”?
2. How has your spiritual rebirth changed how you are active in community?
3. Which old titles do you struggle to let go of in light of your new identity in Christ?

Call to Action

Take time to write down all the titles or roles you carry. Ask yourself, “Am I approaching each of these through the lens of being a child of God?

Next slice of manna: Manna for the Mind #247