January 5

Accepting Christ

But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God— — John 1:12 BSB

Those who reject Christ shut themselves off from great blessings. Those who welcome Him let all of heaven’s love and joy into their lives. Some think it doesn’t matter if they accept Christ or not, trusting instead in God’s mercy and love. But today’s message makes it clear—God’s love and mercy come through Christ alone. Only those who accept Him become God’s children. Jesus is the only way to God, the only door to the Father’s house. Refusing Christ means rejecting adoption into God’s family.

Another important lesson is how we become Christians. Many are confused about this. Today’s text makes it plain—Christ comes to us as the Mediator, the Son of God, and our Savior. All we need to do is receive Him, accept Him with our hearts, and commit ourselves to Him. The mystery of the new birth isn’t something we need to figure out—it’s God’s work, not ours. This verse tells us that if we receive Christ, we become children of God. The transformation, the new birth, is God’s doing, not ours.

Our role is to accept Christ. God will handle the rest, changing our hearts and giving us new life. We don’t become children of God in name only but through the divine life He imparts to us.