He gave the right ?

The New King James Version (NKJV) renders John 1:12 as follows:

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God

Dear Christian, nobody has a RIGHT to become children of God. We are all undeserving sinners who are owed wrath. The only "rights" we have is for a righteous God to send us to hell. Praise God for His love and goodness in providing a way for us to reconciled to Him, so we didn't get what was rightfully owed us.

The issue with the NKJV rendering of the verse is that it changes what biblical salvation actually is.

When someone is born-again, they don't possess the RIGHTS to become a child of God, they instantaneously and miraculously become a child of God!

Consider this example:

Having the RIGHT to vote doesn't make you a voter.

Having the RIGHT to vote, means someone must put forth the human effort and actually show up and vote. If someone doesn't show up and vote, they are NOT a voter, they only possess the RIGHT to vote.

In like manner, the RIGHT to become a child of God means there is something additional someone must do in order to obtain salvation.

Consider this additional example:

An American can say they have RIGHTS as a citizen of the United States. However, they still must do something to take advantage of the rights granted to them.

Additionally, if American rights are not protected, they will be lost.

The NKJV rendering of John 1:12 is incorrect. It creates confusion by giving a false view of salvation.

• No one has the right to become a child of God.
• No one has to get in line and DO something additional for salvation.
• No one can lose their salvation. However, rights can be lost if not protected.

You become a child of God the moment you put your trust in Christ and BELIEVE! This is the absolute POWER of God!

The Authorized King James Version has it right!

John 1:12 (KJV)  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: