John 1:12-13. the Sons of God

We know that when the Lord Jesus came into the world, the greater part of men despised and rejected him; but there were a few who received him. They believed in him; that is, they received Jesus into their hearts. And now observe what a glorious privilege God bestowed upon these believers. He gave them "power to become the sons of God." He adopted them as his sons and heirs. It is written in Romans 8:15, "You have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father;" and again, "If children, then heirs." God will bestow upon his adopted children his riches in glory. "He who overcomes shall inherit all things. I will be his God, and he shall be my son."--Rev. 21:7.

But what is the reason that some believed in Jesus? Were they by nature better than others? Were their hearts softer, so that they could not reject their dying Savior? No--they were by nature like others--but they were born of God. As it is written in the thirteenth verse, "Who were born of God;" that is, of the Spirit of God.

We are also told what they were NOT born of. Let us consider each of the expressions--

"Not of blood," that is, they did not believe because they were of the blood of any good man, such as Abraham. Many who were of the blood of Abraham did not believe in Christ! Neither were they born of the will of the flesh. They did not believe, because it was the will of their flesh, or of their nature to believe. They did not choose Christ from their own power. If they had been left to themselves, they would have refused him; for the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God. 1 Cor. 2:14. Neither were they born of the will of man. They did not believe because it was the will of any man that they should believe. Such people are not converted as a minister most desires to convert, or as he thinks it most likely will be converted. It is the will of God that makes a man believe.

If we have been born of God, we see that it was not because we were of the blood of any pious parents or ancestors; it was not because it was the will of our flesh to believe, for we were dead in sins. It was not because it was the will of man. No pious minister or friend could have made us believe. But if we have been raised from the death of sin, it was the power of God that raised us. Therefore to God be all the glory!

If we have not been born again, then let us go to God, who alone can convert us, and entreat him to put forth his great power to make us believe that we may become the children of God and heirs of the kingdom of glory. For it is dreadfully true, that until we believe in Christ, we are the children of Satan, and not the children of God. Who can bear the thought of being the child of the devil, and an heir of wrath! Yet what does the Apostle Paul say to the Ephesians? He says of himself and of them, "We were by nature the children of wrath, even as others." But we may be born again; we must be born again. Then we shall belong to the family of God, and be the heirs of heaven.