Embracing Our Divine Right
The Daily Devotional
Tuesday, September 10, 2024
Embracing Our Divine Right
To all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God. (John 1:12)
Introduction
John 1:12 states, "But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God." This profound verse serves as a cornerstone of our faith, reminding us of the transformative power of accepting Christ into our lives. It speaks of a spiritual adoption that transcends human understanding, offering us not just salvation but a new identity as children of God.
Reflection
The essence of John 1:12 is about the transformation that comes from embracing Jesus. When we believe in Him, we are not merely changing a belief system; we are stepping into a new lineage, a divine heritage.
Consider the story of Jay Speights, a man from Rockville, Maryland, who discovered unexpectedly, after taking a DNA test, that he was a descendant of an African king. This revelation didn't just alter his view of himself; it transformed his sense of responsibility and identity. Suddenly, he was connected to a history, a culture, and a set of obligations he had never known before.
Similarly, when we receive Christ, our spiritual DNA is altered. We become part of God's royal lineage. Just as Jay Speights' discovery led him to embrace a new role and seek to positively impact his newfound relatives, our recognition as God's children compel us to live differently. We are called to live not as orphans without hope but as heirs with a purpose.
Application
What does this mean for us on a practical level? It means that every day, we wake up as someone's child—a child of the King. This identity should influence our decisions, actions, and interactions. Are we living in a way that reflects our royal heritage? Are we extending the grace and love that was extended to us? Just as Jay might reach out to connect and support his relatives, we, too, are called to reach out to our spiritual siblings with support and love.
Conclusion
Being a child of God is not a passive title; it is an active engagement with the world. Like Jay Speights, who embraced his newfound identity to make a difference, we, too, are equipped to bring change and hope to our surroundings. As children of the Most High, we have both the power and the responsibility to reflect God’s light in every corner of our lives.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Your Son, through whom we have the right to be called Your children. Help us to truly understand and embrace this identity. Teach us to live in a manner worthy of the calling You have placed on our lives. Let us reflect Your love and grace to everyone we meet. May we always remember our royal heritage and live as heirs to Your kingdom, spreading Your peace and love wherever we go. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Devotional by: Kenny Sallee, ThM — Deming, NM, USA
The Bible texts are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible (NRSV)© 1989, 1993, the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
