Believing

He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name -John 1.10-12

When Jesus came, He was rejected by many. The people who were waiting for Him had a different idea of Messiah. The Religious leaders of the day rejected Him because He didn't live by their self-righteous standards. The people who had been waiting for their Messiah, the ones who should have known and recognized Him, did not welcome Him, and rejected the life that He offered. But those who did receive Him, and even those who believe in His name, He welcomes them as children of God.

Look again at the verb tense, received is past tense, believe is present. The act of believing in the name of Jesus, believing He is who He says and can do what He promised, is the same as having physically welcomed Him when He walked on earth. The act of truly believing brings the same rights and blessings as those who saw Him and followed Him 2,000 years ago. Believing in Jesus makes you a child of God.

The relationship Jesus had with the disciples, with those who put their faith in Him, is the same relationship available to those who believe in His name today. The absence of Jesus' physical presence does not reduce the promises, or blessings, He has offered. The same Jesus who walked the earth, offering life, is still giving life to those who believe. The physical absence of God does nothing to diminish the reality of His promises.

This a reality that I need to own. I am God's child.

TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!