Receiving Christ

In John 1:11-13 the word used by the apostle John to denote this active response to the gospel is receive. In these three verses John writes, concerning Christ:

“He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

Here the key thought is that of personally receiving Christ. The result of this response of faith is described by John as becoming a child of God, or “being born of God.” Christ Himself refers to the same experience in John 3:3, where He calls it being born again. He makes it plain that without this definite, personal experience no person can ever hope to enter God’s kingdom, for He says:

“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Once again this challenge to respond to the gospel by personally receiving Christ is supported by a definite promise from Christ Himself.

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” (Rev. 3:20)

Here Christ speaks directly to each individual soul who has heard the gospel and who desires to respond by opening the heart’s door and receiving Christ within.

To each soul who will make this response, Christ gives a clear, straight- forward promise: “I will come in.”

O Lord Jesus, there is only one answer to this: "II want to receive You, Lord Jesus! My heart is wide open for You!" Lord, what a blessing and a miracle that You want to live in my heart through Your Spirit, that I have been allowed to drink from the living water that is only found in You... Amen.