16. What does the Bible say about becoming a child of God?
How can one become a child of God? Do you have to experience something really special? Or do you have to be an old person? Fortunately, no. Have a look:
- But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His Name (John 1:12).
This text tells us you become a child of God if you receive the Lord Jesus and believe in His Name. But what does that mean?
What does it mean to receive the Lord Jesus?
The word “receive” doesn't mean “to take” or “to steal”, but to accept something that is offered to you. It's like a present: someone offers you a gift and you accept it. But God doesn't offer us any presents, but something much, much more precious: His own Son. You can reject Him or receive Him. The question is: are you willing to receiv
e Him?
You can only receive the Lord Jesus as He is. This means you have to accept Him as your Savior (He forgives your sins), but also as your King (He is the boss over all things). If you compare your life to a house full of rooms, this means the Lord Jesus becomes the Owner of your lifehouse. He gets the keys to all rooms: the living room, the dining room, the basement, but also the bedroom. In all areas of your life He will be Lord and Master: your thought life, your time, your body, etc.
It is important that you realize you can only receive with empty hands. You cannot accept a gift and at the same time hold on to other things. It is the same with the Lord Jesus. When you receive Him, you have to let go of all your other things. Another way to say this: you have to surrender to Him. That might sound very scary, but don't forget He is the best Person in the entire world you could possibly surrender to.
What does it mean to believe in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ?
The name Jesus means: Savior, Redeemer (Matthew 1:21). Do you believe that the Lord Jesus is the Savior, the promised Messiah, the Son of God?
Believing in the Lord Jesus means: to trust Him. You personally trust in the things:
1. He did for you: He died on the cross for your sins.
2. He does for you: He leads your life day by day.
3. He tells you: all the things written in the Bible.
A thought to ponder on your own
Read Acts 16:30-34. How did the jailer become a child of God?
Can you yourself know by grace you are a child of God?