A Name You Didn’t Earn

Devotion

 Scripture

 See how great a love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God! For this cause the world doesn’t know us, because it didn’t know him. 1 John 3:1

 Reflection

 In life it’s pretty normal to earn titles through hard work and sticking with it.

 It’s crazy how long you grind in medical school just to earn the title “Doctor,” or how hard you work to get that “Manager” badge after getting ahead in your job.

 But when it comes to the title “Child of God,” this is a whole different ball game. It’s a free gift that’s given to you, not something you have to work for. It’s all about being adopted into the family rather than what you’ve achieved.

 When you look at yourself in the mirror, it’s super easy to focus on what you think are imperfections or feel those worries about making that big move to start fresh. But here’s good news for you.

 In God’s eyes, you are loved and valued just the way you are, and you don’t have to prove anything to belong.

 In this verse, the Greek word used for love is ‘Agape.’ It really goes deep and shows what God’s love is all about. This love isn’t just any kind of love. It’s all about caring for others and loving them without any strings attached. What makes ‘Agape’ special is that it doesn’t expect for anything back from the person you love. Agape love is the greatest, highest, and purest kind of divine love that God has for humanity.

 Meditation

 Take a moment to just breathe in deeply, and let this amazing thought fill your mind and heart. You’re a unique and special child of God, created with love and accepted just the way you are, with no conditions at all. 

 The big idea here is that your self-worth shouldn’t just come from the achievements you’ve made or the stuff you own throughout your life.

 Getting to know your real self is key to feeling happy and content. It’s about peeling back the layers and seeing what’s really underneath. A fundamental truth revealed to you by Him in a remarkable way that frequently go beyond what is ordinarily understood.

 John 1:9 talks about how anyone who opens their heart to Jesus and put trust in His name has this incredible opportunity to become sons and daughters of God. This verse highlights the awesome gift that believers get and shows how their faith creates a special bond with God. It’s a big deal to accept Him because you will be born again adopted into the family of Creator God. Honestly, it’s a beautiful promise that dives into what faith and belonging to God’s family really mean.

 In the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus in John 3:3, Jesus straight away told him that being born again is a big deal. He said that if you don’t go through this spiritual rebirth, you just won’t get to see or enter the kingdom of God. This shows how vital it is to have a life-changing experience in your faith and understanding. If you skip this step, you can’t access those divine truths. Being born again isn’t just an option. It is something you need to do if you want to be a part of God’s kingdom.