John 1:12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
I once memorized this chapter, but despite that, every time I read it I learn something new. The sentence above is at the heart of something God has been showing me for the last three years. It is this: despite how we receive Him, it is God that saves. There is some part in me that has always felt that I played an important role in leading people to salvation and rebirth. But like John is saying, birth into God's family has nothing to do with my will or decision. It is something God does in people. This became very real to me two weeks ago while I was helping with a youth retreat for another church. I got the chance to watch two wonderful eleven year old guys be reborn into the family of God. As it happened, I finally saw that I am merely a child of God myself. It is God that does the birthing and doctoring and life giving. Even more spectacular is that once the birthing process begins, it will finish. The things that God begins in us, He will see to completion. Today I rejoiced in being a child of God.
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