The Gospel of John: Born of God

Our study through the Gospel of John continues…

God gives (not man’s efforts, will or opinions) the right or authority to become children of God.

John 1:12&13

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: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

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.

Born of God

Spiritual birth is not;

1. By human blood or natural birth

2. Of our flesh- nothing man can do is involved in spiritual birth

2. Being born of man’s will

Spiritual Birth is;

1. Supernatural

1. Being born of God’s will

3. A free gift  from God

We respond in deliberate faith and obedience to Him but the work of the Holy Spirit is the “cause” of regeneration and spiritual birth.

John 3:5-8, Titus 3:5, Romans 12:1-2, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Children of God are transformed into the likeness of God. This is an instantaneous act of God but is a gradual transforming process as we grow in Him.  How we grow is by hearing, reading, studying, memorizing, and meditating on His Word.

There are many marks of a child of God:

Obedience, forgiveness, not becoming easily angered, trusting God’s Sovereignty, humility and not demanding your own way, not thinking of yourself higher than you ought, and perseverance.

The fruit (Gal 5:22) of the Spirit; love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control …

( 2 Peter 1:5-7) For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.

to be continued…