Have you accepted Jesus or have you received Jesus? What’s the difference?
First, nowhere in the Bible does it state or suggest that we ‘accept’ Jesus. For one thing, who is accepting whom? ‘Accepting’ Jesus implies that we are the final arbitrator. We are the one who is deciding whether the opportunity merits our consideration, rises to the level of serious attention, makes a compelling case—in other words we are the authority that matters in this situation. How arrogant of us.
More accurately, we receive God’s provision of salvation—something He determined in advance that he would extend to us as a gift—something we cannot earn but only receive (Matthew 10:15).
Second, it is not an installment plan where your receive Jesus as Savior garnering all the benefits and sometime later receive Him as Lord in submission to the fact that you are now under new management. There is not a two stage event. When we receive Christ we are receiving Him for all we know Him to be at that moment as Savior with its attending benefits and Lord with its obligations and responsibilities (Romans 10:9-10; Ephesians 1:4; Galatians 3:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10). Have you ‘received’ Jesus?
Receiving Him as Savior in one instance and Lord at some other time down the road when we are ready to give control of our lives over to Him is not Biblical. It has been said that the Japanese never truly surrendered until they surrendered their sword to General Douglas MacArthur. Many of us want the benefits of salvation but not the obligations or responsibilities that it requires. We want to hold onto the sword of control and independence rather than surrendering it on bended knee in submission to the majesty, sovereignty, and authority of Christ in our lives. Surrendering our sword of control and independence facilitates God’s ongoing spiritual renewal of our lives.
Third, in the receipt of His gift requiring acknowledgment of His Son as Savior and Lord we receive the following at the very instant of conversion:
- A new nature (Eph 4:22-24),
- Sonship (Rom 8:13-15),
- Joint heirs with Christ (Eph 8:16-17),
- New citizenship (Phil 3:20),
- Membership in God’s household (Eph 2:19-22),
- Justification (Rom 3:21-24),
- Adoption (Eph 1:5-6),
- Regeneration (Eph 2:1-6),
- Forgiveness and redemption (Eph 1:7-8),
- A new heart (Ezek 36:26),
- Fruit of the Spirit in seed form (Gal 5:22-24), and
- The indwelling of the Holy Spirit (Eph 1:13-14).
Have you taken the time to review the great gift God has given us and what He imparts to us at the moment of conversion? All this comes by simply receiving Jesus as Savior and Lord. In this season we celebrate the birth of our Lord—God’s provision for our salvation. Take time to acknowledge the significance of His life. As the saying goes--He IS the reason for the season!
We would also ask that you prayerfully consider giving to the ministry of Heart of a Warrior. We have made some changes to our webpage that enables you to give one time donations or set up an annual, monthly, or weekly contribution automatically. Please visit our site www.heartofawarrior.org.
May God richly bless you this coming year and may your life be a blessing to others within your sphere of influence.
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