Bible League: Living His Word Yet to all who did receive 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.What does it mean to be a child of God? A child of God is a member of God's family, with all the advantages and privileges membership entails. Although the Bible makes it clear in many places that every human being that has ever existed is a creation of God, not everyone is a child of God. Simply coming into existence in the natural way is not sufficient to become a child of God. Rather, one must be born a second time; one must be "born again" (John 3:3). In the words of our verses for today, in order to become a child of God one must be "born of God." What does it mean to be born of God? The reference is not to natural birth, but to spiritual birth. In order to be born of God there must be a change of spiritual motivation and direction in a person's life. Apart from this change, people are children of the devil (John 8:44), rather than children of God. The second birth occurs when the Holy Spirit of God enters a person's life and changes the spiritual motivation and direction of that person (John 3:5-8). Instead of following and imitating the devil, they begin to follow and imitate God (Ephesians 5:1). How does one become a child of God? According to our verses for today, one must receive Jesus, one must believe in His name. God's plan for reconciling the children of the devil unto Himself and making them His own children required the virgin birth, sinless life, sacrificial death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ (II Corinthians 5:17-19). When we receive Jesus, when we believe in who He is and what He accomplished for us, we receive in turn the right to become God's children. What are the advantages of being a child of God? There are too many to mention all of them. In summary, however, one receives the right to abundant and eternal life in God's family. One receives the right to talk to God and relate to God as a good and loving father for all eternity. If you have received Jesus, then you are someone very special. You are a child of God. You have been included in His family. Bible in a Year Old Testament Reading2 Chronicles 20, 21, 22 2 Chronicles 20 -- Jehoshaphat Defeats Moab and Ammon; His Prayer and Return to Jerusalem NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB 2 Chronicles 21 -- Jehoshaphat's Death; Jehoram's Wicked Reign in Judah; Edom Rebels NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB 2 Chronicles 22 -- Ahaziah Succeeds Jehoram in Judah, Reigns Wickedly; Athaliah and Joash NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading John 16:1-15 John 16 -- Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit, Foretells His Death and Resurrection NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.Insight Jesus made it clear that having the wrong treasures leads to our hearts being in the wrong place. What we treasure the most controls us, whether we admit it or not. Challenge If possessions or money become too important to us, we must re-establish control or get rid of items. Jesus calls for a decision that allows us to live contentedly with whatever we have because we have chosen eternal values over temporary, earthly treasures. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon 2 Corinthians 11:22 Are they Israelites? so am I.We have here a personal claim, and one that needs proof. The apostle knew that his claim was indisputable, but there are many persons who have no right to the title who yet claim to belong to the Israel of God. If we are with confidence declaring, "So am I also an Israelite," let us only say it after having searched our heart as in the presence of God. But if we can give proof that we are following Jesus, if we can from the heart say, "I trust him wholly, trust him only, trust him simply, trust him now, and trust him ever," then the position which the saints of God hold belongs to us--all their enjoyments are our possessions; we may be the very least in Israel, "less than the least of all saints," yet since the mercies of God belong to the saints as saints, and not as advanced saints, or well-taught saints, we may put in our plea, and say, "Are they Israelites? so am I; therefore the promises are mine, grace is mine, glory will be mine." The claim, rightfully made, is one which will yield untold comfort. When God's people are rejoicing that they are his, what a happiness if they can say, "So am I !" When they speak of being pardoned, and justified, and accepted in the Beloved, how joyful to respond, "Through the grace of God, so am I." But this claim not only has its enjoyments and privileges, but also its conditions and duties. We must share with God's people in cloud as well as in sunshine. When we hear them spoken of with contempt and ridicule for being Christians, we must come boldly forward and say, "So am I." When we see them working for Christ, giving their time, their talent, their whole heart to Jesus, we must be able to say, "So do I." O let us prove our gratitude by our devotion, and live as those who, having claimed a privilege, are willing to take the responsibility connected with it. Daily Light on the Daily Path Hebrews 10:20 by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh,Genesis 4:16 Then Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden. Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear. Hebrews 12:14 Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. 2 Timothy 1:10 but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, Hebrews 9:8 The Holy Spirit is signifying this, that the way into the holy place has not yet been disclosed while the outer tabernacle is still standing, Ephesians 2:14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, Matthew 27:51 And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split. Matthew 7:14 "For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it. Psa 16:11 You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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