First off, I need to stress that I love GOD’s Word, and I believe the Bible to be just that. I believe that it isn’t just a love story, but also something that I need to apply to my life in every aspect. This is our first week as a Blogging Bible Study and also check out the others on my blog roll under the Bible Study. They already have posted some very sweet posts on this reading. This week we are all looking at John, Chapter one.
So here are some of my thoughts on a only two verses…I could write a small book on just this chapter.
John 1:12
12But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, (NASB)
12Yet some people accepted him and put their faith in him. So he gave them the right to be the children of God (CEV)
12But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (KJV)
According to Strongs Exhaustive Concordance, this is what I found while looking for what is the “right/power”.
The word was originally written to read “exousia” (G1832) meaning;
(in sense of ability), privilege, that is (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom or (objectively) mastery, (concrete magistrate, superhuman,potentate, token of control) delegate influence-authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength.
Intense huh? We have been given the right /power to become HIS child, and all that goes with it. Wonder why we live in such defeat most of the time, when we have this privilege, this freedom, this mastery over sin, we have the right and the strength to overcome… Somehow I think we down play this verse and over look what awesome gift we have been given. Its so much more than being a step child! Its full rights to the family of God.
John 1: 43
43The next day He purposed to go into Galilee, and He found* Philip. And Jesus said* to him, “Follow Me.” (NASB)
I am always in awe of our God who took the confinement of a human body, and would just walk up and look in ones eyes, outstretched hand…and say “Follow me” , “Come with me”. There is no mention of HIM just sitting down and debating scripture, or putting out a sales pitch for himself, or even painting a pretty picture…just “follow me”.
Strongs G190 follow- akoloutheo (as a particle of union) keleuthos (a road); properly to be in the same with, that is,to accompany (specifically as a disciple): follow-reach
There is no place in the study of the word “follow” that says to walk behind…it says to be in the same with..like walking with HIM, learning from HIM as HE moves, and reaching out to others in the same way HE reached out to me/you. Do you remember that defining moment when you knew HIS hand was extended to you, and HE said “Follow me” ? I do, and if you have not ever had this experience..ask for it..or maybe you only need to respond to it…
ponderings of a princess... 
Love that you’re doing these studies.
One part that stood out for me in this one is v 43 – Jesus saying to Philip “Follow me.” I’m thinking a lot about what it means to truly live for Jesus, and the simplicity of this really got me. Follow Him. Keep in step with Him. Not being distracted or pulled in another direction. With Him and following.
Yesterday was the first day of bible study for me with my new bible. Today I am starting a study out of our church daily devotional – what is nice about that is it follows the Sunday School lesson for next week. We start romans this week.
There is a song that has a line somthing like.
“All of my dreams, everything I want to acomplish I lay them down at your feet, because what you have instore for me is far greater than anything I can dream up in this world.”
I love the power angle of this. He has given us power beyond anything we can imagine. Beyond anything of this word. WOW… I mean WOW.
I think people struggle with it because they feel unworthy for it.
If we could tap into this power 100% of time, do you know where our lives would be??
Incredible verses,
WOW> Good morning prin. Do I love ya still??
Oh my gosh… SO MUCH !!
Does John 1:12 also tell us who are God’s true children? Wouldn’t the fact that those who believe in Christ are God’s children necessitate the conclusion that that those who don’t believe aren’t?
Verse 13 continues – “who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”
I won’t get into the ‘rest of the story’ in verse 13.
“Do you remember that defining moment when you knew HIS hand was extended to you, and HE said “Follow me” ”
Pretty much all of my young life when I did so many things wrong but managed to make it out alive and end up in positive situations I certainly didn’t deserve.
thanks all for stopping by…
Birgit- its that simple, wonder why we make it so hard?
Ck-i am blown away at HIS power and that HE has given us that power as children of HIS.
Heidi- the thing that kept coming back to me about this power, is that we don’t tap in, because somehow, we don’t believe enough…He is really working on me to just believe…I love you tooo….sooooo much!
Dan- I do not believe we are children of God given this right unless we are believing in HIS son, “No one comes to the Father but by me” Jesus Christ
Also in Ephesians I it says we are adopted into HIS family. Does God want to adopt all of us..yes..but it is ultimately our choice.
TT- when I get discouraged I always think about those moments of surrender, and HIS outstretched hand..summoning me..”Follow Me-I know the way”.
Papa- I am anxious to hear what you are learning in Romans…I am also reading it, it feels like home to me 😆
Contextual considerations (this is a Bible study, right?)
11He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him.
12But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,
13who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
Doesn’t verse 12 need to be considered with verse 11 and verse 13 for the best understanding of the right (power) spoken of in reference to being a child of God?
Verses 1-10 have just present Christ as God made flesh sent to earth with a mission for, first of all His own (the Jews – chosen as God’s people). They did not receive him and we have this”but” beginning the next verse, defining exactly who are God’s true children, those who believe in Him (verse 12). Verse 13 is a continuation of verse 12 and describes very specifically ‘how’ true children are brought into being, with specific emphasis on how they are NOT brought into being.
I suggest that your emphasis on “all that goes with it.” (the right to be called His child) might not be the primary emphasis of the text, although we certainly should live our lives as believers with the strength and power of the Holy Spirit and free from the bondage of sin.
Also, how do you reconcile verse 13 (NOT of the will of man) with the thought that it’s ultimately our choice (will). I am not attacking your assertion, I just want to know how you reconcile the two.
Darla!!!! Out of the park home run sweets!!! I do remember my moment in time when I heard His voice loud and clear saying follow me!!! It was on the edge of Lois Pitmans bed in a nursing home. My charge nurse sat with me and showed me Jesus…I had said ‘the prayer’ so many times before that, but that was my night. That was my predestined night…thank you Lord. I’m almost afraid to post on Thursday after this….Love you princess!
A different translation…
Go back to Genisis.
John 1:1 The Word(Jesus) was with God, as was the spirit that hovered over the waters. (Gen 1:2)
“Our Image”, we are made in the image of all three. So Christ takes on human form and comes down to those he created in His image, and we don’t recognize. When being made in their image we should recognized him, but we are caught up in worldly things.
12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—
When we believe and put God as the Lord of our heart, we become new Creations in Christ, our old self made of this world is gone, our new self is made into Christ.
13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
God has known since before time began my choices. He as worked in my life to bend my life to His specific will for me. He does not bend His will, just our life. Bent my life to a point were I had all the facts in front of me and I had to make a choice. No one can make that choice however without Christ. Only he can bridge the Gap with His out stretched arms to God. Once I saw the bridge and had the facts it was clear the choice to make.
God worked on me for 37 years, molding me into the new creation as His child.
And yes….
I’m invading…..
your blog!!!!! 😆
Cyber smoochies!!!!
13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
If it’s our decision, what does that verse mean? It SAYS our new birth is not because of our decision, doesn’t it? Help!
Dan,
We are “born again” into Christ through the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This rebirth is by the Power of God, not anything a human can do…He draws us to Himself, when we accept Christ, and the bridge to God, we God’s indwelling Spirit changes us… Only God can decide who truly believes in his Son.
Great post! I especially like the insight you had on “follow me.” What a powerful truth. Very well done.
“This rebirth is by the Power of God, not anything a human can do…He draws us to Himself, when we accept Christ, and the bridge to God, we God’s indwelling Spirit changes us.”
That SOUNDS like you are saying that we accept Christ and then God regenerates us because of our decision? So it’s OUR will to choose Christ and then God the father, by His will, gives us new birth?
Dan- I am sorry if you think I took the verses out of context..I have been reading this chapter for a week, and along with many commentaries, and much prayer. These are just the verses that God spoke truth to my heart. God is doing a work in me even as I write, and I am okay with not being a theologian..although I have high respect for them.
I think your last comment is not very clear what you are asking..but I have read some of your writings and I thought you understood this stuff pretty well.
Just a thought…why don’t you join us and write a post on something that God speaks to your heart in John 1. Don’t forget to read CK, and Joe’s posts on the same…they did an excellent post on what you are talking about..and a little more indepth.
Could you narrow down what you are asking..I am not as smart as you, and when things confuse me…I don’t get it…so what are you driving at? or in simplier terms what are you saying to me?
CK- thanks for all that you have added to this discussion, bro you rock! I also didn’t answer the call to follow until I was 37 years old…
Joe, thanks for your comment, I am honored and humbled to study with you all.
GG- hahahahhahahahaha fair play..I had that coming!
Dan,
God being true Love will not force us. He will find ways to present us with the evidence and facts. The thing is, he is GOD, and his evidence is pretty substantial.
When Christ says “It is better to never have heard, than to hear and not believe.”
That is when you are at the critical point of taking the step of Faith that Christ out stretched arms will catch us. Once we take that step we are instantly transformed into a new creation through the blood of Christ.
Shoot.. I meant to get 4 in there also…
Darla…God Rocks.. I am just a man.
and I am just a girl..but Mandy uses that one..thanks anyway…and YES GOd does ROCK..has something to do with HE is the ROCK
Uh, Miss Darla??? :I am not as smart as you,…..” Excuse me Missy…..Godly wisdom far outweighs “smart”….of that you have quite the abundance…..ok, continue… 🙂
Darla,
Sincere apologies. Without being accusatory, I wanted to suggest that the principal thrust of John 1:12 is best understood in the context of the preceding and following verses. The first chapter is, in all about the divinity of Christ and who is/is not a true child of God. The entire book of John is concerned with Christ’s divinity and identity as the long promised Messiah (have been waling through this gospel for several months with a small group. There is much throughout the book of John that also speaks to the total sovereignty of God in salvation.
I didn’t see the much needed power for living and freedom from the bondage of sin as particular to the text.
ck,
I thought I read you correctly. This little side trip speaks to the question “When does regeneration (new birth) occur, before or after the decision of our human ‘will’. The answer to that question speaks to the sovereignty of God in our salvation. The view that God even acts upon and somehow bends our human will toward Himself (He doesn’t force – I totally agree!) is monergism. The view that we ‘cooperate’ with God to secure our salvation (we decide/He then regenerates based on our decision) is synergism.
John 1:13 seems to support the monergistic view, not the synergistic (and most popular view).
Has that been helpful, or should I shut up now. 🙂
that is helpful.. 😉
Dan.. I was once told…
You are Armenian before Grace, and a Calvinist after Grace… 😉
“I was blind, but now I see”…
Never heard that one. . .
I once asked a pastor if was Armenian or Calvinist and he said;
“It depends on what kind of day I’m having.”
Actually, the correct spelling is ‘Arminian’, but we were married by an Army Chaplain of Armenian family origins. FYI, Calvin didn’t invent any new doctrine, he only defined the common and widespread beliefs of Protestantism . Arminianism is rightly termed ‘Semi-Pelagianism, which was declared a heretical doctrine in that it denied ‘original sin’. All the ‘enemy’ had to do was find someone he could use to pass off something that that could be swallowed whole by the masses that appealed to the flesh. So the story goes. ..
Thanks, Darla. (kind of a tough day, just getting here)
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name
receive-
dechomai 1209
lambano 2983 – this is the word used in John 1:12 and a couple of links to the definition:
http://net.bible.org/strong.php?id=2983
http://vines.mike-obrien.net/
Then, also, believe (pisteuo http://net.bible.org/strong.php?id=4100 )
So to this question of choice…doesn’t this mean we must receive and believe what has been offered to become His children? Not that we are capable of doing any of the work, we are helpless to save ourselves, yet we are to receive the gift offered or we have not become His children.
Isn’t this the analogy of the doorway which asks us to choose this day whom we will serve…then once we’ve walked through the doorway…on the other side we read, “You did not choose me but I chose you.”
Yet, He made the offer first.
I’ve said it before and I’ll keep repeating it, our choosing and His choosing run side by side, as if parallel lines. But in the far distance, on the horizon they appear to converge. Eternity perhaps? Both are taught in scripture, but if we come down too hard on either side, we risk not teaching the whole truth.
Dontcha think?
Hey, Darla, I think the monster got me!
I had a few links. 😳
Michelle- do you post tomorrow on this study? Have you ever heard of Ken Blue? Tell that monster in” Jesus name…he needs to be gone…according to the prophesy of course.. 😉
I am sending everyone over to you tomorrow…hahaha love you and praying tons for you..will try to IM you tomorrow.
Actually, I meant the spam monster…is my comment hiding out somewhere?
I’ve heard of Ken Blue but have never read his work? Do you recommend something?
No, I post Thursday…we’ll talk later.
♥ U
I saved you from the monster!!! YAY ME!!
I do agree Michelle, that the Bible as a whole should be taught in its entirety, I guess I personally don’t have a problem with not understanding somethings..I am more resolved to think..God knows and that is why HE is God and I am not..and ultimately I trust HIM…I don’t believe HIS heart has any darkness in it..and is absolutely beautiful..at the same time Soveriegn…and HE is the King…so I am very good with all that is being talked..I don’t understand it all…but I am good!
So much of it is mystery, we only get this small view. Won’t it be amazing to get there and have it finally make sense, completely.
Thanks for saving me… 😉
Oh great post! I think people struggle with the word, because they can find the loop holes and not change their ways. You are right, the word if far more lovely and full of authority than romance. Also, to look at Philip and say “Follow Me” and Phillip did it. It gives me goose bumps. That is awesome, great post. I can not wait to see what is said tomorrow. You guys are doing a great job and God is so honored by that. Love ya, from Tanya
Hey, Darla. I came across this quote today that speaks to this issue of choice. Because that’s where this comment thread went I wanted to further explain. My saying it appears parallel to us on earth, I did not mean that the choices are in some way weighed the same eternally. I do believe we would have NEVER chosen if we had not been shown His glory. And He is the one who took the first step, “You did not chose me, but I chose you.”
OK, here’s the quote from Piper:
“…you nor I would have ever chosen Jesus had he not revealed to us the glory of the Father. Had Jesus not enabled us to see in him the image of the invisible God, we would never have come. Dead in trespasses and sins, blinded by the God of this world, we were hopelessly hell-bent until he called us by name and raised us from the dead. “The sheep hear his voice and he calls his sheep by name (he chooses them) and leads them out (John 10:3). So your choice of Christ was very different than his choice of you. His choice was a recreating, resurrecting, life-giving choice when he called you by name and you were born again and made a child of God. Your choice was all response and trust in his commitment to you.”
Isn’t that beautiful! My stomach jumped when I read it, really! It really is all about Him, isn’t it?
Have a great day, Darla, FYP!!
Thanks for that, Michelle! that sounds much better than me stepping all over my tongue all the time! Shoe leather tastes terrible!
I love you, Dan!!
Where’s the princess??? 😦
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Its like you read my mind! You seem to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you could do with a few pics to drive the message home a little bit, but other than that, this is great blog. An excellent read. I’ll definitely be back.