"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." (vv.12-13)
Here the Apostle John tells us that though some rejected this revelation, others received Him and thereby became children of God. They became children of God through a new birth, being born… of God. Now the end of the story is not the tragedy of rejection, but the grace of acceptance.
The idea of “receiving Jesus” is Biblically valid and requires one to embrace and receive Him unto themselves. As many as received Him is just another way to say, those who believe in His name. “Faith is described as ‘receiving’ Jesus. It is the empty cup placed under the flowing stream; the penniless hand held out for heavenly alms.” (Spurgeon)
Believers are God’s ‘little ones,’ related to Him by birth, and John reminds us here of the nature of that birth. Those who received Him are born of God, not of human effort or achievement, and not of blood, but of the Spirit. This new birth is something that brings change to a life.
A Pharisee named Nicodemus asked Jesus this question concerning being born of God, "How can a man be born again when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" (John 3:4). Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." (John 3:5-7). Jesus is telling Nicodemus "you need to be born twice, physically and then spiritually."
Receiving Him makes you His child, and as His child an heir to His eternal kingdom. If you would like to receive Him today simply pray the prayer to the right on this page "connect with God."
The Truth: "The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God. And if we are His children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ." (Romans 8:16-17)
