John 1:13 (Contemporary English Version)
They were not God's children by nature or because of any human desires. God himself made them his children.
Encouragement for Today
Sometimes you may think, “This is just who I am,” or “My background decides my future.” Maybe your life experiences have shaped you: your family, relationships, school, work, or church. Some stories give strength, others leave pain behind. John 1:13 says something freeing: real new life does not come from your bloodline, your performance, or human effort. It comes from God.
That is good news, especially when you feel stuck. God does not first look at your last name, your past, or how much you have “done right.” He begins with His grace. He can start again where you can no longer see a beginning.
This verse also protects you from comparison. One person seems to have had the perfect start, another did not. But with God it is not about who your parents were, how many chances you got, or how strong your personality is. It is about His love that makes you new.
God does not just give the old life a small upgrade. He gives a new heart. And that new life often grows step by step: through prayer, through His Word, through people around you, and through choices to live differently than before.
In the church:
- Someone with a painful past learning to trust again
- A fresh start after failure through forgiveness and guidance
- A testimony that says, “God changed me”
In society:
- Someone getting out of debt with help and new discipline
- A person in recovery who finds healing and helps others
- A young person who still grows, even with a hard home situation
These stories show: new life is possible.
Question to Pause and Reflect
Where do you still believe your past “decides everything”? What would it mean if God gave you a new beginning there today?
Closing Thought
John 1:13 teaches you: your origin is not your endpoint. God can rewrite your story.
Take This With You
- New life comes from God, not from people.
- You are not locked in by your past or background.
- Pray simply: “Lord, give me new life, and teach me to walk in it.”