Becoming a Child of God

by Whitney V. Myers

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Becoming a Child of God - John 1:12 - 123RF Photo - Used under license

"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 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 NKJV)

This lesson explains that becoming a child of God is both a starting point - when a person receives Christ - and a process of spiritual growth and maturity.

This lesson is the first in a series on "The Children of God."

     Consider.  What is the scriptural requirement for becoming a child of God?  Are you experiencing growth and increasing maturity as a child of God?

     Introduction.  John begins his gospel writing about Jesus Christ.  John describes Jesus as the "Word" (John 1:1), and as "life" (John 1:4).  John describes Jesus as the "true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man" (John 1:9).  Note the Greek word for man in this verse is anthrópos which means the human race including women and men (Ref. 1).  Even though Jesus is the true Light, many people reject Jesus.  John writes, "He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him" (John 1:11).

Becoming a Child of God Has a Starting Point - Receiving Christ

     John, writing about Jesus, begins verse 12 with the words, "But as many as received Him..." The Greek word for receive in John 1:12 is lambanó.  Lambanó means to lay hold by aggressively (actively) accepting what is available (offered) (Helps WORD-studies, Ref. 2).  In contrast to the great number of people who reject Christ, John writes that Jesus gives the right to become children of God to those who receive (accept) him.  John explains in the last part of John 1:12 that we receive Christ when we believe in (trust in, have faith in) him (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Becoming a Child of God - Starting Point and Growth Process

Becoming a Child of God Also Is a Growth Process

     In addition to the starting point of when we receive Christ, becoming a child of God includes our growth process from spiritual infancy to spiritual adulthood (Figure 1).  The Greek word for become in John 1:12 is ginomai, which means to transition from one point (realm, condition) to another.  The word, become, implies motion, movement, or growth (Helps WORD-studies, Ref. 3).  Becoming a mature child of God requires growth.

Growing, increasing in maturity, is key to authentic discipleship (Ref. 4). 
Indeed, the Lord requires non-stop progress (development) in the life of faith (Ref. 4).  The Apostle Peter writes, "Long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation" (1 Peter 2:2).  Hebrews 5:13-14 states, "For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant.  But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil."  The Apostle Paul writes, "Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ" (Ephesians 4:15, italics added).  BibleStudyTools says it well, "As you spend time in Scripture and pray, you will experience growth and blessings as you pursue righteousness!" (Ref. 5)

Becoming a Child of God Is a Privilege

     John writes "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12).  The Greek word for right is exousia.  Exousia means privilege, authority, power, and right (Strong's Exhaustive Concordance, Ref. 6).  Becoming a child of God is a privilege far more so than being the child of any human being (Ref. 7).  Jesus gives this favor, this privilege, to those who believe in his name (John 1:12).  Becoming a child of God is God's blessing; it is not something we earn (Ephesians 2:8).

Becoming a Child of God Results When We Are Born of God, Not Because of Our Human Lineage

     Are all human beings created in the image of God? (Genesis 1:26)  Yes.  Are all human beings children of God?  No, not in the reborn sense described in the Gospel of John.  John describes the 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 1:13). 

Jesus' opposers claimed they were descendants of Abraham and that God was their Father (John 8:39-41).  Jesus, God's Son, told them, "If God were your Father, you would love Me" (Luke 1:31-35, John 8:42).  Jesus also told them, "You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father" (John 8:44).  

Some of us are blessed to have had parents who were Christians during their earthly lifetimes.  However, we become children of God not because of our human lineage, or because our parents are Christians, but because of God's work in us.  We must be born of God and believe in Jesus ourselves to become a child of God (John 1:13, John 3:3, Galatians 3:26).

     Apply.  Are you a child of God?  If not, put your faith and trust in Christ.  If you are a child of God, are you experiencing spiritual growth and increased spiritual maturity?  Seek God's guidance through prayer and his word. 

Related Topics
"Characteristics of a Child of God - Part 1" (Matthew 7:16)
"Characteristics of a Child of God - Part 2" (Matthew 5:16)
"Our Adoption as God's Children" (Galatians 4:4-5)

References
1.  https://biblehub.com/greek/444.htm
2.  https://biblehub.com/greek/2983.htm
3.  https://biblehub.com/greek/1096.htm
4.  https://biblehub.com/greek/837.htm
5.  https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/bible-verses-about-growth/
6.  https://biblehub.com/greek/1849.htm
7.  https://biblehub.com/commentaries/barnes/john/1.htm