John 1:12 AMP
[12] But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the right [the authority, the privilege] to become children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name—
There was a problem that needed a personal and permanent solution. The problem had to do with the human nature. God had made man in His own image, but man gave up the truth and reality of the image of God for some lies from the devil about some falsehoods about the image of God that was not real. The devil convinced man to give up what God had already given man, for something man could never get. Man was promised that if he ate the fruit, he would be like God, knowing the difference between good and evil. Man ate, and now, we know the difference. We are not able to choose the good by ourselves without help, because we had traded God's help for the deceit of the devil.
The verse above starts with a BUT, and it is critical to examine what came before the BUT, so we can determine the best steps forward. Man had fallen, and needed help. The drama in the Eden had eternal ramifications. There was a need for the full price for sin to be paid by those who committed the sin. However, the one who fell into sin deserved punishment, and could not now offer a fitting sacrifice for his own sin, except to die for the wrong done. That would have been justice, in line with the standards of God. God knew that man could not help himself, so He sent His own Son to stand in my place and pay the full price for sin that I could not pay.
Christ came, and because He did not come to the sounds of bells and whistles, man missed it. As He did not come with a loud trumpet, man did not recognise the grace that was now made manifest. Jesus came in the form of the man He needed to save, but the world did not recognise or receive Him. The issue of familiarity became the burden; He is like us, so He cannot be anything special. This is how many people in His time missed the day of their visitation. Heaven backed Him up, but earth treated Him like ordinary man. He made man, but man now seeks to replace Him with alternative images and altars.
As it was then, so is it now. Men are still in search of alternatives to Jesus; unfortunately, there is no other name or person who can secure that which Jesus offers. As the verse above makes clear, there is no favouritism with God. He offers all men the chance to come in and take hold of the benefits and blessings of a relationship with Him. To as many as will believe in and receive Him, He has given the right and the privilege to become children of God. We are now in line to inherit all that Jesus has. That is both amazing and sobering. It is not something to be missed or trifled with. How do you respond? God's time of favour is here.
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