May I suggest that Kim R take a close look at John 1:11-13, and see what those inspired statements actually say.
John 1:11-13:
11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
12 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:
13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
Naturally, these words applied initially to the Jewish people. But after their initial period of exclusive access to God through the Christ, the opportunity was opened up to non-Jews as well (for which I am personally thankful).
Note Verse 12: “As many as received him, to them gave he power … even to them that believe on his name”. The receiving of him, the belief in him and in what he had achieved, and making him welcome by faith, established a positive, beneficial relationship.
Based on that relationship, those people were made an offer: “to them gave he power to become the sons of God”. Note that John, as inspired by God, did not say that they were made children of God, but that they were given the power, the right, the authority to
become sons of God. There was (and is) a second step involved.
If that is indeed the case, then two considerations emerge:
1. Verse 13 describes those who have taken that second step;
2. Could “those who put their hand to the plow” refer to those same people?
Could Luke 9:62 actually offer some clarification?
And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
Does that verse refer to people who have taken the second step after seriously counting the cost as Jesus counselled?
Luke 14:26-33:
26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it ?
29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it , all that behold it begin to mock him,
30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.
31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.
33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
(Please consider: Did Jesus say people should do their homework well before taking the plunge, or did he say that there would be a sticky end for those who did
not take that plunge? The former, yes. The latter, no. Is that not food for thought?)
If the above ideas engender a degree of discomfort (because they are different from what most churches would teach, their teachings being based on a cursory reading of Verse 12), then maybe the following could be viewed as an alternative source of help:
1 Corinthians 3:11-15:
11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
In a word picture, his (or her) house will burn down, but he (or she) will get out unscathed – retaining nothing but the clothes they are wearing.
Hopefully that has been of some help.
In my experience, properly read Scripture always clarifies troubling questions regarding faith and doctrine.
