John 1:12 “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name,” NASB
The Gospel of John is the fourth gospel in the Bible. It is written probably by John, who was one of the sons of Zebedee. It begins differently than the other four gospels. It begins with a possible early Christian Hymn. It goes like this:
John 1:1-5: 1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him not even one thing came into being that has come into being. 4In Him was life, and the life was the Light of mankind. 5And the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not grasp it.
Basically, the book begins with stating that Jesus was with God when the Earth was created and all things were created through Him. As john begins it continues. The next section begins with John the Baptist saying that he came from the wilderness to testify to the Light that was to come, but he was not the light. It then begins to explain the Light that is to come in verses 9-13 which are:
John 1:9-13: 9 This was the true Light that, coming into the world, enlightens every person. 10He was in the world, and the world came into being through Him, and yet the world did not know Him. 11He came to His own, and His own people did not accept Him. 12But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name, 13who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of a man, but of God.
After this John tells of Jesus’s baptism, his first converts and his choosing of the 12 disciples.
Jesus is the Light and in John 8:12 he says, I am the Light of the world. In this “I am” statement Jesus is owning that He is the Light. In John 1: 9-13 states that Jesus came to enlighten the world, but the world did not know Him. He came to the Jewish people, and they did not accept him, but others did receive Him. Those people were made part of God’s family and that this happened not because they were born into the family (flesh) nor because of the birth family, or because the people wanted it to be so… but only because God made them part of his family. We become members of God’s family because we believe that Jesus is His son and His sacrifice for us, and God honors that faith in Jesus.
This is what the Gospel of John will tell us over and over that our faith in Jesus makes us part of God’s family.
What does this mean for us today. Basically, it is a reminder to us that our faith in Christ is what saves us. It is also a reminder that God made us a part of His family.
But how do we act as a member of that family?
Is there infighting? Many times, that happens, and it is tempting to join in, but we need to keep out of those fights. Has the church family ostracized a member instead of giving support and love? This happens in other families, and it happens in church families. I could go on, but I think you understand what I am saying… if your actions are not out of love and patience, but more on the human side of actions, then ask God to help you overcome this behavior, and I know that He will, but it may be by making you face your own behaviors.
God wants us to live peaceably with each other, and by remembering how we became members of this family and I repeat:
John 1:12 “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name,”
Today’s question:
Has there been a time when you did not act lovingly with a member of God’s family? How did this behavior change?
Ever in Christ’s Love,
Mary Elizabeth Todd
February 23, 2024 & June 24, 2024
Ruhamah United Methodist Church Bible Verses 