“But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe in His name” John 1:12 (KJV).
It is wonderful to know that God has given the right, the privilege, and the power to be “sons” of God. This only comes as the grace gift of God to all who believe. There is one particular word to this verse I want you to note.
The word is “sons”. Many of the female gender may find offense with this term, and many of the newer translations change this to read, “children of God”, but I find that to be very weak and without meaning. Why?
In the Old Testament sons were the only ones who were to receive inheritance. The older son; in most cases; always was to receive the inheritance. In the case of the dispersing of the land of Promise; that too; was to be given to the men of the families. There was a case where there were no sons of the family of Zelophehad, but he had five daughters, and due to that they were given an inheritance (Numbers 27:1-11 KJV).
The blessedness of John 1:12 is that because of Jesus Christ all people male and female are put on equal ground. We are all as sons of God, when we have by faith received Jesus as our Savior.
We are adopted into the family of God and given all the privileges of Jesus Himself (Read Ephesians 1).
Now, remember who you are.
-Tim A. Blankenship