“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.” John 1:12-13
The term “receive Him” is synonymous with believing.
The phrase “believed in His name” occurs three times in the Gospel of John. Name does not refer to the term by which He is called, but to what His name stands for – the Lord is salvation. In this context, the phrase means to believe that Jesus is the Word, the life, and the Light – that is, He is the Christ, the Son of God.
The term “right” means freedom (or authority). Christ authorizes us to become God’s children by grace through faith in Him.
The “new birth” is from God. Martin Luther put it this way, “Jesus alone imparts this birth, granting believers in Him the privilege, the right, and the power to become God’s children”. The new birth is the work of God alone. It is a gift to be received, not a reward achieved by individual effort. The new birth is based on relationship with Christ, not personal position. The relationship, however, proceeds from the position of Christ as the mediator. Those who trust Him are born of God, meaning they are given spiritual life.
God’s blessings on your day…