One Little Word

Thursday, August 27, 2026

Good morning, Lord

Father in Heaven, open my heart and mind, Holy Spirit. Fill my consciousness and complete Your joy in me as I take up my cross and follow...In Jesus' name…

Memory verse: 1 John 1:8–9

8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the 

truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all 

unrighteousness.

Verse of the day—Romans 12:4-5 “Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”

Today’s reading: Psalm 120-122 1 Corinthians 9  

One Little Word

In most translations of the Bible that people use today, 1 John 1:12 says something like this:

“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— “

The Greek word that is translated ‘right’ actually means ‘authority’.

Authority is defined basically in two ways:

a.  power to influence or command thought, opinion, or behavior

b. freedom granted by one in authority : right

The ‘rights’ as seen by human beings today are felt to carry such weight in our country and sought around the world.

Folks wield their rights like weapons against authority.

This is not what was meant in 1 John 1:12. We have been chosen by God:

John 15:16-“You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. ”

We, as believers in Christ, have been granted, in God’s supreme benevolence, in the kindness of His heart(grace), the freedom to bear lasting fruit and to get what we need to accomplish this.

If you want to call what you have in Christ-rights-then, by this Bible verse of God’s word, you, we, have the right to obey.

So, back to 1 John 1:12, we have been blessed in God’s authority to be called children of God.

In God’s authority and in His plan and His power, we must be called children of God. Yes, of course, we are free in Christ. We are free to enter God’s presence and ask whatever desire God has placed in our hearts. We are free to experience His peace and power in our lives.

The world says that humans have rights that must not be challenged by authority.

The Bible says that we have God’s authority to know His freedom and be known as His children.

This is a blessing that cannot be demanded, it is bought and paid for in Christ and freely given by God’s choice.

The right to be called the children of God-yes-but only to His praise and glory.

What does this mean to me? It means that although my word may be questioned in and by this world, God’s word and His truth has given me what cannot be taken away-His authority-His protection-His certainty-His love- over me as an obedient and loving servant.

No brag-eternal fact.

Tell God you want to live in this real freedom.

...because He loves us, He will do it…

Father in Heaven,

Your name is worthy of all praise. Let me know Your kingdom’s freedom fully. Give me knowledge today for Your work. Forgive me for my sinful pride. Lead me away from wickedness.

Father of all freedom,

In the name of Christ Jesus my Lord,

Amen