Saturday

December 26

“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”  John 1:12(NIV)

We live in a country where we are guaranteed certain inalienable rights.  These rights are spelled out in the Declaration of Independence. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” 

Rights are important to Americans.  We have a “Bill of Rights” that spells out all our rights.  People hide behind their rights as an excuse to do anything they like.  “It’s my right as an American!” 

We love our rights.  But they can’t save us.  Our rights don’t guarantee us the promise of eternal life.  They are powerless to protect us.  They do nothing to preserve us.  They offer no peace or security.  Our rights are really kind of wimpy.  I think I’ve heard someone say, “That America gives you the right to make a fool of yourself, if you want to.”  And many do.

Jesus believes in the importance of rights too.  He is very concerned that we all are benefactors of the most important right of all. John writes, “to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” 

Who would have ever thought that by a Declaration of Dependence, one could inherit the most important of all rights?  The right to become children of God!  Now that’s a right with power, promise, and peace; and it guarantees preservation!

Prayer: Father, we declare our independence from the sin that has had control of our lives for too long. Thank you for the freedom that you give us through your Son. In Jesus’ Name,  Amen.