<\/em>John 1:12-13<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n As Christians, we may think that by saying, \u201cI believe in Jesus and God, I\u2019m saved,\u201d like that\u2019s all there is to it. One and done. Yet looking at the verse above, it says we have “the right <\/em>to become God\u2019s children\u201d. What does that mean? <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n Think of it like getting a \u201csalvation voucher<\/em>\u201d. A voucher is a coupon that says you can receive a particular item on a specific date and time. You cannot receive the prize or gift before or after the specified date and time. You also have to know and meet all the requirements necessary to redeem that voucher. If we look closely at the Bible, is just saying, \u201cI believe,\u201d all there is to receiving the prize of salvation, or is there more?<\/p>\n\n\n\n By believing in Jesus, you\u2019ve taken the first step. If you\u2019ve ever received a stamp card at a cafe or restaurant, it probably had some condition like, \u201cget ten stamps and get a free meal or drink<\/em>\u201d. If you don\u2019t fill out the whole card, or even if you\u2019re missing just one stamp, then the offer is not valid. You don\u2019t get your prize. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Similarly, if you just say you believe in Jesus, but don\u2019t know what else God and Jesus have asked Christians to do, are you positive you\u2019ll be getting that gift of salvation in the end? <\/p>\n\n\n\n The \u201cright to become God\u2019s children<\/em>\u201d, means we have an opportunity <\/strong><\/em>to become God\u2019s children. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In our world, we have all kinds of rights such as a right to education, healthcare, or other social or moral endeavors. When a family member passes away, we have a right to an inheritance. But in order to use that right, we must prove that we are related to the person who passed away. How do we do that? Through our genes – our DNA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How much do you resemble your biological parents? Maybe you have your father\u2019s eyes or your mother\u2019s hair, or maybe you share one of their personality traits. We have all been created with our parents\u2019 DNA. That is the proof that we are their children – being born of the same seed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For us to become God\u2019s children, we must be made of His seed. Well what is God\u2019s seed then? According to Luke 8:11<\/strong>, it says that the seed is the Word of God. It makes sense, right? If you are born of God\u2019s seed, His Word, you would resemble that Word. Your words, actions, behaviors, even your wants and desires would look like your Father\u2019s because you’re His child, born of His seed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Life and the potential for life is the one thing that all seeds share. Whether it\u2019s a plant seed or the seed from an animal or person, they all carry the potential for life. Apple seeds create apple trees, watermelon seeds create watermelons, so if God\u2019s seed is the Word, His children would also be made from the Word. So how can we make sure we’ve been born from God’s seed? <\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ve probably heard the term, \u201cYou are what you eat<\/em>,\u201d and that can be applied to God\u2019s Word as well. The Bible is referred to as our daily bread, our water, our spiritual food. So the more we consume it, the more we resemble it. The more we resemble the Word, the more we resemble God because God is <\/em>the Word (John 1:1<\/strong>). If we resemble God and have the Word, then we can confidently say we are His children and will be the recipients of the inheritance of salvation that God has promised to His children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s go back to our salvation voucher analogy. If we don\u2019t know all of the terms and conditions (aka, the fine print) necessary to redeem it at its proper time, can we receive what has been promised to us? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Likewise, for us to receive salvation, we have to know the terms and conditions given by God and Jesus. What are those terms and conditions? In John 14:23<\/strong>, Jesus says that he and the Father will love and be with those who obey his teachings. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n By knowing and obeying Jesus\u2019s teachings, we are fulfilling the requirements necessary to redeem our voucher in the end. Since all of Jesus\u2019 words came from God, by obeying Jesus, we are obeying God. And by doing that, by keeping the Word within us, becoming more like it, we show that we have been born of God\u2019s seed because we resemble the Word.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Well then, what are these teachings that Jesus is referring to? Let\u2019s look in Luke 22:14-20<\/strong>. At the Passover the night before he went to the cross, Jesus made a new covenant with his disciples and all who would believe in him. He established this covenant with his blood. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIn the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, \u201cThis cup is the new covenant in my blood which is poured out for you.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Luke 22:20<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n What is a covenant?<\/a> It is a promise to be kept at a later time. And just like the salvation voucher, there are terms and conditions for this covenant. There is a specific time when this covenant will be kept and when we will be able to redeem our salvation vouchers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFor I tell you I will not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God<\/strong>… For I tell you that from now on I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes<\/strong>.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Luke 22:16, 18<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n So we see that the time when we can keep this covenant is when the kingdom of God comes<\/em>. When will that be? When Jesus returns<\/em>. And where can we learn more about that time when Jesus promised to return?<\/a> What book prophesies about that time? Revelation.<\/em> The terms and conditions of the new covenant and our salvation are within the prophecies of Revelation.<\/strong> How do we know that salvation will be available at that time? Because it is promised in the Bible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c…so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people, and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation<\/strong> to those who are waiting for him.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Hebrews 9:28<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Instead of just saying, \u201cI love Jesus, I believe in Jesus,\u201d we must put our love and faith into action<\/em><\/a>. Jesus told us that we can prove that we love him by obeying his teachings. But in order to obey them, we must know them. And by knowing them, knowing the terms and conditions and when<\/em> we’re able to cash in our salvation voucher, we can be those that are ready and waiting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In the meantime, we must do our best to know, understand, and obey Jesus\u2019s word. While it may seem difficult, we must have the patience and endurance to learn, develop our faith, obey, and wait. The promised gift of salvation and eternal life, by being God\u2019s children, is definitely worth it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Written by Kenny<\/p>\n\n\n\n Check out these other posts about the work of Jesus, and God’s expectations for believers!<\/p>\n\n\n\n It Is Finished: What Jesus Actually Completed<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat does it mean to have <\/strong>the right<\/em><\/strong> to become children of God?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
To get the salvation voucher, you have to be in the family.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
We must know what was promised so that we can keep it<\/strong>.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The New Covenant Jesus made with us<\/strong>…is it for now? Or later?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What should we do while waiting to cash in our salvation voucher?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nRead More!<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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