"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right
to become children of God, to those who believe in His name."
John 1:12
A man said frankly to his pastor, "I've been a church member for many years, but I really don't think that I have ever received Jesus Christ into my life." The pastor asked him, "Do you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, that He died for your sins, and He is risen from the dead?" The man quickly replied, "I sure do. No doubt about it." The pastor smiled and said, "Then you have received the Lord Jesus Christ. Believing is receiving." The pastor quoted John 1:12, and assured him that the Bible made it clear. The man left the pastor with the assurance that he had indeed received Christ into his life.
Believing in the name of Christ is to believe Him. His name stands for who He is, and all that He has done for us. Most importantly, Jesus is the gospel, or good news of God, for all of us. He died for our sins according to Scripture. He was raised from the dead to save us from the wages of sin, which is death, judgment, and condemnation.
Have you really received the Lord Jesus Christ into your life? Remember, believing is receiving. If you believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins and was raised from the dead, you have believed the gospel of Christ, the good news of your salvation (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Doubt says, "I'm not sure that I've ever really received Christ." Faith says, "Believing is receiving."
God, I receive Jesus Christ as Lord of my life.
