I have been reading through the first three chapters of St. John's gospel for the past few days and have really enjoyed digging deep into these chapters. I am using the "John MacArthur method" of reading a few chapters at a time but reading those few for about a month at a time so it will soak in. I have read these chapters in John's gospel plenty of times. But, it really struck me when i read verses 12 and 13."But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God." John 1:12-13(ESV). If we look at verse 12, we see that those who received him, he gave them a right. That right was to become an adopted child of God. Let this be an encouragement to you dear person. If you have received Christ, wanting freedom from the slavery of sin and recognizing that there is no other way to life than through Christ, he has given you the right to be a son. That is a "done deal" of sorts. You are responsible for repenting of your sin and trusting Christ and have the promise that you will be saved and given new life. This is a glorious truth for the repentant sinner that God turns away nobody truly seeking salvation. Those who have correctly identified themselves as unrighteous, ungodly, unrepentant, unseeking(dont know if that is actually a word). Those who recognize his lordship and complete authority. You see, there is a certain way to come to Christ. It must be done in humility and sincerity. There were many who believed on Christ as we see in John chapter 2 who it says Jesus "did not entrust himself to them." The reason for that is not that he simply didnt want to, but because they came to him only seeking miraculous signs and demanding more. They wanted nothing of his salvific offer.
Then there is a flip side to verse 12. After it promises us that those who believe, he gives the right become a son, then we see that it was done not according to our own "free-will," but rather, the will of God himself. There is so much that could be said about this, but it simply says that those who received him, became sons and that it was according to God's will, not man's! This is clearly the teaching of the sovereign, divine call of the elect. So wait a minute.......verse 12 tells us if we receive him, we can have him and be saved, but verse 13, tells us its not according to our will but God's? Yes! The holy scriptures teach both. The bible tells us to repent and believe while also telling us that God has chosen some to salvation before the world was even created! Sounds sort of contradictory doesn't it? Sure, from the outset. But, what a glorious mystery it is. Yes, a mystery. Not the emergent "it's all a mystery and let's just embrace mystery" sort of thing because there are things that are plain and clear. But the mystery that somehow these two truths are reconciled and only God does it! God has chosen but tells us to receive! If you are not a Christian or you are on the fence, repent of your sins and believe the gospel of Christ! If you are a Christian, rest in the fact that God willed your salvation before you ever thought of repenting! Rest in this glorious truth.
Soli Deo Gloria
Seth
