Being a child is rooted in the new birth from above by the Spirit (John 3:1–15). It denotes a totally new mode of existence, one that belongs to the end-time renewal of all things by God, which as eternal life has already been initiated by the work of Christ.1 New birth is entirely due to God, though this does not limit or exclude human responsibility to repent and leave sin.2
12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,