John 1:12 says, “But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become the children of God.” The NKJV says it like this: “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.” There is definitely an action and reaction type relationship here. There are two parts on our part: If you believe in His name – that is, if you believe in the power of the name of Jesus Christ – and if you accept Him, as God, as the only way of salvation because you are unable to do anything in and of your own self to earn this. No works you can do, no matter how good, noble, charitable or selfless, will earn you any brownie points with God. Believe and accept. Romans 10:9 says, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” So the result of my belief and my acceptance is that I am given the right to become the children of God.
The word “right” is the Greek word “exousia” (ex-oo-see’-ah) defined as power, authority, weight, especially: moral authority, influence. Interestingly enough, it also tends to mean of a spiritual power and thus of an earthly power. That is quite an honor and privilege to receive! Essentially, because we have been given spiritual authority, it also gives us influence and authority in the earthly realm. Jesus says in John 14:12-13, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” The point is that because of our acceptance of this gift, we are given a position to become children of God. [Long before the NT was written, the word “theós” referred to the supreme being who owns and sustains all things.] Essentially, our father is the King, making us princes. The Greek word indicates that we would be regarded as true, genuine children. They are those whom God knows to be qualified to obtain the nature and dignity of his children. Thus, with this privilege comes the responsibility to walk in the character of our Father, who is perfect and in whom there is no fault. Be like Jesus as He is like the Father. Be holy as I am holy. All of this can not even begin to happen though without the initial belief, leading to acceptance.
So adoption is essentially the gist of what we are talking about here. A parent sees a child who is not yet their own. They see that the child has a need…they are an orphan. The parent desires that child to become a part of their family because they know that they have something to offer that child. So the child is brought to the family and comes to a place of acceptance that this family is now their own. Sometimes a ceremony takes place and the child is officially adopted into the family and given a new name. And there are struggles along the way, and times where the parents wonder if it is worth it all, but I see it as just a glimpse of what the Father in heaven is doing for us. He is adopting us as His children. He loves us so much and has something to offer us far greater than our human experience can even comprehend. This adoption where we become a part of his family, and where our name is written in The Book of Life – a book of his children – is so significant. Because it is an eternal choice that sets a chain reaction of eternal events that will continue on into the next age and beyond… Oh, what glory to be chosen as children! I am so often humbled to read these words of John and realize what a great gift has been given to me … that He would allow me to choose such a great gift and to eternally seal me with his love. I often echo the words of David in Psalm 8, when I consider the heavens and the works of your hands… Who am I that you even take a second look at me? Yet He did. He chose me. He gave me the free will to choose Him back. And when I did, He made me one of His children. Wow, wow, wow. This is why I serve Him… Because He has given me so much!