[6] There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. [7] This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. [8] He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. [9] That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. [10] He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. [11] He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. [12] But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: [13] who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
What are the facts of the passage?:
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There was a human witness who was sent from God named John.
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His purpose was to bear witness of the light so that all men can hear and believe.
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He wasn't the Light, but only a witness of the light.
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Christ come into the world. But the world didn't receive Him.
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To all who do receive Him He gives power to become children of God; but only to those who believe on His Name.
- Those who do are not born of God because of their family or because of their will, or because of their desire to, but by the power of God.
What do those facts mean?:
This
is a very powerful passage, and if gets more powerful as it moves along.
John the Baptist is introduced and then the concept of being born again is
introduced. We are told that all who believe are given power or authority
to become the children of God. This means that, until we believe, we
aren't the children of God.
This authority comes by means of believing and brings with it the power of God to "rebirth" us. This exercise of the power of God necessary because the new birth doesn't (cannot) come by any other means - not by blood line, human command, or fervent human desire.
How do those facts apply to my life?:
It reminds me that salvation is of the Lord, and not of man (primarily or fundamentally) and that, in turn, makes me humble.
What should I do in response?:
I should be sure that I am truly a believer. If men must believe to become a child of God, then if I have not believed, I am not His child. This can be remedied if I believe on His Name.
