Before we start, let's pray to the Holy Spirit to guide us and teach us.

Read John 1:1-14 in your Bible. (Yes, again. Repetition is good for the soul...and the memory. Plus, the Holy Spirit might want you to see something else in the same text today).

Today's focus is John 1:6-14.

"⁶ There was a man sent from God whose name was John. ⁷ He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. ⁸ He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

⁹ The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. ¹⁰ He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. ¹¹ He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. ¹² Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— ¹³ children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

¹⁴ The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

--John 1:6-14

The phrase “the right to become children of God” jumped out at me today – especially the word “right” in V12. The KVJ says “power” instead:

¹² But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

His own nation of Israel did not receive Jesus, but to all who do receive and believe – to all who are born again/re-born spiritually – those are given the right to become children of God. Which means, conversely, if you do not receive Him, you are not given the right to become a child of God.

The Greek word for power used in the KJV is “exousia” which denotes “freedom of action, right to act.” (Vines, p. 479)

I was thinking of the word “right” as in “I have a right to take that” but the original Greek connotes the opposite – I am delegated/given the right and power. That is, it's not something I take but something I receive and am responsible for. I am reminded of Uncle Ben's admonition to a young Peter Parker (AKA Spiderman): “With great power comes great responsibility.” Even though those are fictional characters (Peter Parker and his Uncle Ben), the statement really is true.

In a note on the word “received” in v12, the Strand says “According to John 4:10, Romans 5:15-18 & 6:23 and Ephesians 2:8-9, salvation is a gift that must be 'received'. A give I not a gift because you believe it's a gift (James 2:19); a gift is a gift because you 'receive' it as a gift (Romans 10:9-10,13).” Strand Study Bible, p. 1698)

And in a note on v.13 (¹³ Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.), the Strand says “Being born again (i.e., birthed into God's family) is impossible for any human to attain. It is supernatural and can only be accomplished by God (Eph. 2:8-9). So it doesn't matter what race you belong to (blood), or how much you want to get to heaven (will of the flesh), or even how hard you work to get there (will of man); the new birth (i.e., salvation) can only be achieved by the will of God.” (Strand, p. 1698).

When you believe and receive, then He saves you. Then and only then. Believe in your brain and receive in your heart – and then be saved.

“⁸ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—“

--Ephesians 2:8

Prayer

Father God, thank you for this “daily bread” to feed our souls today. Help us not only to believe but also to receive the gift of salvation that is so freely offered to use through Jesus Christ. Amen and Amen!