Born of God

Scripture Readings: 

John 1:11-13

He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

Romans 8:10-11

But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

Ephesians 1:5-6

He predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.

Commentary:

Born of God (Amanda White)

It had been 400 years. The Messiah, sent by God “in the likeness of sinful flesh”, broke the silence between God and His people. Similarly, as Jesus broke that silence with the cries of a newborn babe born in a manger, so He would break the bondage of sin and death for eternity by being crucified on the cross in our place and being raised to life three days later. 

Because of His great sacrifice on the cross on our behalf, we can be adopted as children of God; not because of anything of our own doing or merit, as there is no good in us (Isaiah 64:6); but because of the “good pleasure of His will” and the righteousness of Jesus that covers our sin. 

The same Spirit that breathed life into Jesus, raising Him from the dead (Romans 8:11), has breathed new life into our spiritually dead, sin-filled hearts. Through repentance (Acts 2:38) and the righteousness of Christ, we can be brought into the fold of God. This birth into the family of God signifies a brand new beginning: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17) As a child of God and part of His family, we bear a new image; we bear Christ’s image because of the Holy Spirit that dwells within us. And what a privilege it is, along with Christ, to call God “Abba, Father!” It is unspeakable JOY to be a part of the family of God! 

Prayer & Reflection:

Father, it is the good pleasure of your will that we are adopted into your family, and you have made a way for that through the sacrifice of Jesus. You have lavished your grace on us, and now we have the privilege to call you “Abba, Father”. Thank you for new life in your family!