0785. What Receiving Christ Signifies

What Receiving Christ Signifies

"For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the month confession is made unto salvation" (Rom_10:10).

In Joh_1:12 there is a twofold expression. "As many as received Him," and "them that believed on His name." These words offset the words of Joh_1:10 and Joh_1:11, "Who knew Him not" and "who received Him not." What do they signify?

1. As many as received Him. This seems on the surface to be a very simple statement. But it is not so simple as it seems. To receive Christ involves a great deal.

(1) It involves going contrary to the great majority of mankind. For the world received Him not.

When Christ was born there was no room for Him, they laid Him in a manger.

When Christ was in Nazareth there was no room for Him, they sought to cast Him down from the brow of the hill.

When Christ entered His Father’s House, there was no room for Him, the House was filled with money changers and sellers of doves.

When Christ was on earth, there was no room for Him, they nailed Him to the Cross.

"The Lord is now rejected,

And by the world disowned,

By the many still neglected,

And by the few enthroned."

To receive Christ means to go contrary to the course of the age.

(2) It involves the incurring of the hatred of the world. Christ said: "They hated Me without a cause." He also said, "If they have hated Me, they will hate you." The one who receives Christ, passes under the ban of the world. It is given unto us not only to believe, but also to suffer for His sake.

(3) It involves the affections of the heart. To receive Christ means far more than giving Him shelter for a night. Christ stands at the door of your heart seeking entrance there. He does not merely come to be entertained, but He comes to ask you to trust Him, and to love Him and to yield your all to Him. He comes to abide.

"There’s a Stranger at the door,

Let Him in.

He has been there oft before,

Let Him in.

Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son,

Jesus Christ, the Holy One,

Let Him in."

The Bible speaks of those who trample Christ under foot, such are the wicked and the lost. The Bible speaks of those who receive Him, such are the saved.

2. As many as believed in His name.

(1) The word "believe" involves the word "trust." It is a word which eliminates doubt and includes perfect confidence. If we believe the Lord Jesus, we trust Him. Faith does not speak in terms of uncertainty. Faith never says, "I hope," or "I think." Faith says, "I know," and "I have."

(2) The word "believe," involves "His name." The trust of faith is in all that Christ is. His "name" stands for His character and His work. His name is "Saviour," and "Christ," and "Lord." His name is "Wonderful," and "Counsellor," "the Mighty God," "the Everlasting Father" and the "Prince of Peace." Those who believe in His name, believe in Him, in all His claims, in all His glorious worth.

(3) The word "believe," like "receive" involves the affections of the heart. "For with the heart man believeth." It is a faith of the head and heart combined. The head firmly asserts the facts concerning Christ, the heart fondly yields affiance to Christ Himself.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR