THE WAY TO BECOME A CHILD OF GOD

John 1:11-13

by Andres C. Guevara Jr.

December 1, 2005

Introduction:

Not everyone are child of God - John 8:44; I John 3:10

Man are created by God but not everyone are child of God.

How does a man become a Christian?

The verses of the text, I believe, answer the question, and they do so first negatively, then positively.

There are three ways indicated by which one cannot become a child of God and only one way by which he can.

I- THE THREE WAYS BY WHICH ONE CANNOT BECOME A CHILD OF GOD

A. NOT OF BLOOD- "not of blood"

You may inherit a great many natural characteristics from your parents that men may admire; you may inherit tastes, features, dispositions.

But you cannot inherit the grace of God.

It is just as true of the children of Christian parent, as it is of any other people born into this world that they must be born again.

Religion may run in your family, but religion and Christianity are two very different things.
You are not a Christian simply because you were born into a Christian family.

Our blessed Lord was speaking to a very religious man Nicodemus when He said, "Ye must be born again". - John3:1-6.
Likewise, the Lord spoke to Peter to handle home bible study to evangelize the good, just, prayerful, alms giver, fearing God and religious devotee person but lost Cornelius.

B. NOT OF THE WILL OF THE FLESH - "nor of the will of the flesh"

It just means that you cannot make your self a Christian by any self-determination.

Example: Suppose you said to yourself, "I have made up my mind that from tonight on I am going to be a Christian". But that will not make you a child of God.

Example: No man ever become a member of the royal family by wishing or planning to be a member of a royal family or dress up like a member of the royal family or sign by himself as a royal highness or high sounding title, you would only be a fraud; HE HAS TO BORN INTO THE FAMILY.

 Example: I cannot become a President of the Philippines unless I was born in the Philippines.

Why Jesus go and died on the cross if simply by an act of your will you could make yourself a Christian? "Galatians 2:21 ..." then Christ is dead in vain."

C. NOT OF THE WILL OF MAN-"nor of the will of man"

There is no man on this earth so holy and so closely in touch with God that he can make a Christian of you by anything he can do for you.

 

A person can baptize you, confirm you, recommends that you be received into church membership of the church, but he could not make a Christian of you by voting you into the membership of the church.

If you came in without being born again you would be just a poor lost sinner with a false profession.

Therefore, we don't need to push or force someone to trust Christ and we don't hurry up to baptize anyone.

II- THE ONLY ONE WAY TO BECOME A CHILD OF GOD- "but by God"

Question: What is the will of God the Father that we could get to heaven? - Matthew 7:21
Answer: The Bible answers in John 6:40 "believe on the Son"
The Lord Jesus Christ had said in John 14:6 "I am the way..no man cometh to the Father but by me"

Question: Why we must let Christ come into our hearts?
Answer: The Bible answers in Revelations 3:20 that because Christ is knocking He wants to dwell and live in your heart. 

Question: How can I receive Him?
Answer: The Bible answers in John 1:12-"believe", or "faith" - Ephesians 3:17

Question: Why I should believe on Him?
Answer: The Bible answers it, because He died for our sins, buried and rose again - Mark 1:15; I Corinthians 15:1-4; Romans 10:9-10; Romans 1:16.

Question: Who are you now If you believe or have faith on Him as your Savior?
Answer: The Bible answers you will be come a child of God-Galatians 3:26; John 1:12.