The Right To Become

John 1:12 declares the heartbeat of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Mankind, dead in trespasses and sins, with a heart deceitfully wicked is invited to become a child of God through faith in Jesus Christ. This is a position of immense privilege, power, provision. This is made possible through the perfect sacrifice and provision of Jesus Christ, and through His life giving presence. The Holy Spirit brings the life of God to the repentant heart and we become what no human agency or effort could accomplish. We have deceived ourselves into thinking that the answer to the wickedness of the human heart is education, discipline or any other human attempt. This dark problem requires a Divine solution. Ours is to receive this gift, to throw ourselves at the feet of Christ and cry out for mercy and deliverance, healing and salvation. The good news is, Christ is able. We can be born from above, and become a child of the true and living God. We then begin to live with purpose-to love others. We live with confidence that grace is provided for each step of the journey. Let us abandon the empty self efforts, lay aside our selfish excuses and embrace this privilege of becoming a child of God. John tells this story as he moves through the Gospel narrative. Peter, Phillip were common people in that culture, but they were invited into the family of God. Nicodemus was the upper class, educated and influential but he too needed to be born again and was given the invitation. The woman at the well represented the 'least' of these-marred and scarred with the failures of life. Wearing the negative labels of her culture, yet the Master offered her living water. She too was given the right to become a child of God. Just as I am without one plea but that Thy blood was shed for me, O Lamb of God I come.