Born of God

Hey folks,

Today we're looking at something that should make our hearts absolutely soar - the incredible privilege of becoming children of God. This isn't just religious terminology; it's about the most radical transformation possible. Let's dial in.

John 1:12-13 "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even 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."

"That word ’but’ is small but it has the power to sweep away everything that came before it (Gilbert)." Yes, the world rejected Him. Yes, His own people didn't receive Him. BUT - and this is huge - to those who did receive Him, He gave the right to become children of God.

Think about this: You can't make yourself a child of God any more than a Taxidermy bird can make itself alive. You might look beautiful on the outside, but without the life-giving power of God, you're spiritually dead. That's why John gives us three "nots" and one "but."

1. Not of blood - your grandpa could be Charles Spurgeon, Jonathan Edwards, and George Whitefield all rolled into one, and that wouldn't make you a child of God. 
2. Not of the will of the flesh - you can't pull yourself up by your spiritual bootstraps. 
3. Not of the will of man - no human system of religion can make you right with God.

BUT of God! Here's what fires me up: When God makes you His child, He sends the Spirit of His Son into your heart who cries out "Abba, Father (Romans 8:15)!" That's not just religious language - that's the Creator of the universe becoming your Father!

Let me tell you something: If you can read Galatians 4:6 without it pulsating in your heart - "God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying 'Abba! Father!'" - there's something wrong. This should absolutely grip us every single time we think about it.

Stay dialed in,
Jonny Ardavanis