John 1:12-13 – “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, 13 who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”  NASB

I have often read this passage and wondered at the wording.  In the KJV it is rendered ‘power’ but in the margin, it is reflected as ‘right or privilege’ to become the sons of God.  The word translated power, privilege, or right is the Greek word (exosuia).  In a very real sense, it is ability.  It reflects the privilege of becoming.  It reveals the capacity to become.  It describes potential, authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, and strength.

Therefore, receiving Jesus and believing on and in Him opens the door to the Greatest Right or Privilege man could ever experience, becoming children of God.  In today’s world, people talk about their rights.  I even hear preachers and Christians talking about their rights in God and speak as if God is obligated to do whatever they tell Him if they say it in faith. 

I am not trying to negate faith or even positive declaration of God’s Promises.  I am simply focusing on the Greatest Right of all Rights and that is being born again or becoming Children of God. 

Let me address salvation from the perspective of rights.  What does it mean to become a Child of God, born again, a member of the family of God, and an heir of God and joint-heir with Jesus?  When we are members of the family of God, we have the right to live without fear.  We have the right to anticipate eternity in heaven.  We have a right to expect God’s angelic hosts to back up us when we encounter evil.  We have the right to come boldly into the presence of God because He invited us and extended that right to us.

We have the right to be called the Children of God!  Most of us have encountered situations in life where who a person is (family lineage), affords them privileges that others do not have.  In the military, we had the saying, “Rank has its privilege.”  As believers, we are afforded the Right to use the Name above all Names, Jesus.  We are extended the right, authority, power, and privilege to use His Name against the powers of darkness.

In Matthew 28:18, Jesus said, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.”  How much authority?  ALL AUTHORITY!  How much does ALL cover?  It covers everything!  Therefore, if Jesus has ALL Authority in heaven and on earth then his next words are powerfully important in connection with our Right, Privilege, Authority, and Power to become Children of God.  As Children of God, we are the target of His words in Matthew 28:19-20, based on His Authority He instructed us, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Our Right in believing extends to the exercise and use of His Authority that is ALL Authority.  In Ephesians 2 we discover that as Children of God, Born Again Believers verse 6 reveals something incredible and powerful.  It says that He has, “raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places…”  Wow!  In 1 John 4:17, we are informed that “…as He is (not will be but is), so are we in this world.”  That is the here and now not when we get to heaven in the sweet by and by.  We are, because of who we are and who He is, more than conquerors through Jesus!

The only Right that matters or the greatest Right any human can have is the Right, Privilege, Authority, or Power to become Children of God.  That relationship, position, and condition affords us privileges and authority beyond what most believers believe.  Whatever Jesus was, He is.  Therefore, if we are like Him and seated with Him now, then what He was, is, and will be, we are through Him.  Let’s start acting like God is telling the truth. It is all conditioned upon repentance, faith, and obedience.

God bless you as you enjoy this wonderful day in Jesus!