Those that believe on Jesus Christ have the power of God to be His child.

John 1:11 - 13 “He came unto his own, and his own received him not. (12.) 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: (13.) Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

So many read this passage of scripture and simply pass it by as just more scriptures about salvation, however it is much deeper than that. John chapter one itself gives a very detailed account of Jesus Christ and salvation. First of all verse one details Who Jesus Christ is, He is God, He was God from eternity past and God when He was born of a virgin woman. Secondly, He was light, He was the light in creation before the sun was created, He will be the light after the world and universe are destroyed, and He is the light of man in salvation because without Him man lives in total darkness and in this state cannot comprehend the light. Third, it tells us that all things were made by Him and nothing was made without Him creating it. And fourth, He that created the world and all things in it came to His own creation and they rejected Him, in fact He came to His own people the Israelites as one of them and they also rejected Him. However not just the Israelites but all of mankind rejected Him. Mankind does not seek Jesus Christ, they seek themselves instead. They want to be in control of everything and even in control of their own salvation, but God never said one has a right to accept or reject salvation, ever.

In our text scripture God makes four wonderful points about salvation which makes the world’s plan of salvation wrong. (1.) “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God…” The receiving Him here is not the choice or decision of man but rather of God. This actually reads “to them that accept Jesus Christ as their Saviour did so because God gave them the power to do so”. Remember man lives in darkness and cannot (on their own) comprehend the light. The word “comprehend” means – they cannot take it eagerly, or they cannot possess or attain it on their own. It is not something they will ever desire to have without God putting the want in their heart. (2.) “…to them that believe on his name.” not by their own power to believe but believing only comes by the power of God. Since man loves darkness rather than light (John 3:19) then that is bold proof that man will not simply choose Christ Jesus as their Saviour. Why would man ever choose against his own will and his love to live in darkness, and choose light? This is the reason that salvation must be by Gods power and not our own. (3.) “Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man…” If salvation is the gift of Gods eternal love and grace then it cannot be of the will or choice of man. Here God explains that salvation included no part of man. “not of blood” means it does not come through the bloodline, “nor of the will of the flesh” means it did not come because someone else wanted you to be saved, and “nor of the will of man…” means you did not yourself desire to be saved. This one single scripture excludes the entire human race from acting in any part in bringing about salvation for the lost sinner. (4.) “…but of God.” God is the total source of salvation. The one who created all things, the one who brought life and light to the world, the one who came to His own creation and was rejected, mocked, and crucified, is the very one that redeems mankind. Titus 3:5 “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us…” Therefore when Jonah shouted from the belly of the whale that salvation is of the Lord, he could not have been more right. Because God does indeed save sinners and we play no part in it. To God be the glory! Amen!