BIRTHRIGHT

Webster defines birthright as; Function: noun: a right, privilege, or possession to which a person is entitled by birth. Rom. 4:14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:  Rom. 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

According to the web statistics I found, approximately 84% of the population of the world belongs to some kind of religious organization. Does this mean that everyone who joins a religion, repeats the sinners prayer, and/or believes certain religious doctrine are all sons “born of God”?

 

John 1:12-13 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: Which were born,---- not of blood, (family/Abraham’s seed) nor of the will of the flesh, (man’s desire to be religious) nor of the will of man, (men teaching religion to others) but---- of God.

Not of blood:

John 8:37 I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. Rom. 9:7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, in Isaac shall thy seed be called. Matt. 3:9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. The Pharisees, who represented the “religious” of that day, didn’t recognize Jesus and were always at odds with Him. They were looking for a Messiah of their own making, and ended up killing the very one who came to save them. There is much written today about the 10 lost tribes of Israel and it is very interesting reading. People seem to be so concerned to know if they could fit into the lost tribes. But like many other things, it makes little difference. Bloodlines have nothing to do with whether one is born of God.

The Will of the Flesh:

From the beginning of time the desire to worship has been resident in the heart of man. We can see this in the account of Cain and Abel (Gen. 4:3-4). Cain desired to worship God, but Cain’s worship wasn’t based on faith in a promised savior like Abel’s was. Cain’s sacrifice was from the “works of his hands”. How many Cains are there in the world today, wanting to worship their way? Working for God, practicing worship, but without faith, never being “sent” or “commissioned” or “called”. Having murder in their heart for the true man of God. Ecc. 2:11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun. How many have built big religious empires, made a name for themselves, robbing the flock so they can live in luxury? The world looks upon this as success in regard to religion, and it’s all for naught. Is. 29:13 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: 14 Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid. Jesus, who is our example, didn’t do anything “for” God. It was the Father in him that did all the work. John 14:10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Being born of God does not come from being “religious” our way.

The will of man: 

Man’s will is to make everyone religious like himself. The Catholic Church didn’t allow the people to have Bibles so they could study. They killed those who wouldn’t comply with their doctrines. It’s a little different today. Missionaries go out to all corners of the world to convert people to their “religion”. You have to come to my church. You have to believe the way I do. You have to use our books and study guides. You have to live by these rules. We have the “truth” and you don’t dare leave our church, or question anything we teach. Held in bondage to a system, just as the Pharisees held the people in bondage in Jesus’ day.  Matt. 23:4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. The religious systems of this world are not of God’s making. Rev. 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. But oh, how hard it is to leave a system that breeds intimidation and condemnation into the hearts of it’s followers. How hard it is to leave the social aspect of it. “What would I do if I didn’t have my church?”

Matt. 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Being born of God is not accomplished by man made religion.

Born of God

We had absolutely no control over our natural birth. Yet we proceed to arrange our spiritual birth the way we want. John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. Rom. 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? Eph. 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  John 15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. 16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. 17 These things I command you, that ye love one another. 18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. Eph. 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: James 2:5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? Eph. 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 2 Thes.2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; (Ex. 19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: 6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel). The Lord chose us, drew us, brought us to repentance, gave us the gift of faith, birthed us and quickened us, and made known unto us the things of the Father. He did it all and we can take no credit, lest we should boast.

2 Cor. 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. Acts 17:27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us. Jesus is our example, study the gospels, learn of Him, and get to “know Him”.