PAULFROMNYS said:

 John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become

Because we are objectively justified before God, declared to be righteous through the death of Christ, we are able to receive Him. Those who receive Him have the power, the authority, to become children of God. The word here in Greek is teknon, which means children. The Greek word for sons is huios. 

We have this authority because we have received His life and nature. 

I am trying to have this discussion with brother James on another thread, begotten sons vs. adopted sons. 

"Become" also denotes a process, like that which Abraham went through.

Romans 7:4 So then, my brothers, you also have been made dead to the law through the body of Christ so that you might be joined to another, to Him who has been raised from the dead, that we might bear fruit to God.

The joining here is not a legal joining, but an organic joining, a union in life. Therefore it is an organic union. Think grafting. When Abraham was circumcised, meaning the removal of the flesh, the old man,  he was joined to another, to God to bear fruit to God in the form of Isaac. This story signifies our salvation through the Person and work of Christ. 

    Fred said:  The joining here is not a legal joining, but an organic joining, a union in life. Therefore it is an organic union. Think grafting. When Abraham was circumcised, meaning the removal of the flesh, the old man,  he was joined to another, to God to bear fruit to God in the form of Isaac. This story signifies our salvation through the Person and work of Christ. 

   Paul replied:   Amen, the hinge out of natural responses to GOD into GOD in Christ is:  John 11:40  Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?