John 1:12

What does John 1:12 mean?

John opens his Gospel by calling Jesus the Word and the Light who came into the world. Verse 11 is sad: “his own received him not”. This verse is the turn. Everyone who receives him, by believing on his name, is given power to become “the sons of God”. Verse 13 adds that this new birth comes from God, not from human effort.

How can I apply John 1:12 today?

Being God's child is something given, not achieved. When you feel like an outsider, at church or anywhere, remember the place this verse gives to those who believe. Treat other believers as family too: reach out this week to someone who seems alone and include them.

In context · John 1:10–14

He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 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. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Topics

Faith · Love