10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:10-13 KJV)
He was in the world
Christ was in the world (John 1:10). Though he was the eternal Word who upheld all things, this refers to his being in the world after taking on human nature (John 16:28). The Son of the Highest lived among sinful men, leaving heaven to enter a sorrowful, broken world. He came to reconcile the world to God—both to satisfy divine justice and to reveal God’s love. Though he was not of the world, he entered it, and it is the greatest honor ever given to earth. The fact that Christ was once here should draw our hearts upward and help us endure our time on earth.
Now note: the world was made by him, so he had every reason to expect a warm welcome. He came to save the world he had created, to restore its life and image. The world owed him homage.
Yet, the world did not recognize him. The Creator entered his creation, but few noticed. They didn’t receive him because they didn’t know him—expecting grandeur, not humility. His kingdom came quietly, as a test of faith. When he comes again in glory, the world will know him.
He came to his own (John 1:11)—not just the world, but to the people of Israel, who were especially his. He came from them, lived among them, and was first sent to them. Though poor and despised at the time, he called them his own. “His own” here means his possessions, like land or house, not like family. Believers are his own in a personal, relational sense (John 13:1). He came to seek and save them because they were his.
Still, most of them rejected him: “His own received him not.” They should have welcomed him, especially with their knowledge of the Scriptures, the signs he performed, and the promises they had received. But though they saw and heard him, they rejected him. The religious leaders, in particular, opposed him. It was both unjust and ungrateful, as he came to save them.
Yet, some did receive him (John 1:12). Though most of Israel rejected him, some believed, and many outside Israel did too. To receive Christ is to believe in his name. This means both accepting who he is and trusting in him.
To be a Christian is to believe in Jesus’ name—to agree with the gospel and commit to Christ. His name includes all his titles: the Word, King of kings, our Righteousness, and Savior. Believing in his name means embracing these truths for ourselves. We receive Christ as God’s gift—accepting his teaching, obeying his law, trusting his promises, and letting his love and grace shape our hearts and lives.
The true Christian’s dignity and privilege are twofold:
First, the privilege of adoption, which brings them into the family of God: “To them he gave the right to become the children of God.” Previously, adoption was exclusive to the Jews (“Israel is my son, my firstborn”), but now, through faith in Christ, even Gentiles are made children of God (Galatians 3:26). They are given authority—not assumed by themselves, but granted by divine right through the gospel.
It is an incredible privilege for all true Christians to become God’s children. By nature, they were children of wrath, of the world. Christians are made—not born—as such. “Look at what great love the Father has given us” (1 John 3:1). God calls them his children; they call him Father, and share in both the present and eternal privileges of being part of his household.
The privilege of adoption is entirely through Jesus Christ. God is his Father, and through union with Christ, he becomes our Father too. In Christ we were chosen for adoption; from him we receive both the name and the Spirit of adoption. He is the firstborn among many siblings. The Son of God became the Son of man so that humans might become the sons and daughters of the Almighty.
Second, the privilege of regeneration (John 1:13): all children of God are born again. Adoption always comes with a real change in nature. Wherever God gives the privilege of being his children, he also gives the character of children. This is something human adoption cannot do.
This new birth is not passed down from parents. It is not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of corruptible seed (1 Peter 1:23). We do not become God’s children the way we become our natural parents’ children. Grace doesn’t run in bloodlines like sin does. The Jews boasted in being Abraham’s descendants, thinking that gave them divine privilege, but this new birth is not grounded in any natural heritage.
It is also not by human effort or will. Our will cannot, on its own, choose what is good; we are morally incapable. Regeneration does not come by our decision or by any human authority. It is entirely the work of God’s grace, making us willing to follow him. Human writings or laws cannot sanctify a soul. If they could, then the new birth would be by human will.
Instead, it is from God. The new birth comes through the word of God as the means (1 Peter 1:23) and the Spirit of God as the only source. Believers are born of God (1 John 3:9; 5:1). This is necessary for adoption: without the likeness of God, we cannot expect his love or claim the privileges of his children.