Yet 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 NIV
The prologue to John’s gospel is pretty intense. It starts by identifying the Word as being with God. And then, that the Word was God. That the Word had life in himself. And that life was the light of humanity. He then went on to say that the Word came into the world to give that light to everyone. That the Word, the Son, took on human form and lived for a while among us. And we know the Word made flesh as Jesus.
Believe in His Name
Jesus came to bring light into the world. Some accepted the light he brought, while others did not. John tells us in this verse that all who received Jesus and the light he brought were given the right to become children of God. If there is any question about what it means to receive Jesus, John explains that it means to believe in his name. To believe in who he is.
John makes it clear that the light that Jesus brought was for everyone (John 1:9). Some rejected the light he brought. But all who believe in him, or put their faith in him, are given the right to experience rebirth as children of God. The good news is that Jesus has come into the world to bring light into the darkness. If you have believed in him, you are a new creature. But, if you have not, I would plead with you to receive the light that he brings. True life can be found only in him.