Must Receive Christ
"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" (John 1:12).
Some time ago I came across
a story that had a remarkable ending. It was the story of a wife who became
infatuated by the attentions of another man. Soon she left her husband and the
two of them began driving across the U.S. in the man's automobile.
After being on the road for
just a few hours they were involved in a terrible accident. Some people were
killed and she herself was taken to the hospital, paralyzed from the neck down.
The man she had been with deserted her and she was left helpless and alone.
After days of remorse and
agony she swallowed her pride. She called her husband and told him the whole
story. She wondered what he would say, what his attitude would be, and prepared
herself for a bitter tirade. She fully expected to be read off and thought that
he would make preparations to leave her in her miserable state.
The hour came when he
arrived. He came bouncing into the room, smiled, waved his hand and said,
"Hi ya beautiful!" He kissed her, took her home, and cared for her in
love and tenderness. To me that was a surprise ending.
By way of contrast, think of
what happened to Jesus. The context of our verse says, "He came unto his
own, and his own received him not" (John 1:11).
As a loving father comes
home to his wife and children, so Christ came to His own. You would have
expected them to have welcomed Him with open arms. He did not come un‑expectedly.
The Word of God had plainly
stated when and where to expect him. They knew what tribe and family He would
arise. He came among them introduced by miraculous signs and wonders. But not
only did they not welcome Him, they fortified themselves against Him.
But here is the strangest
thing of all. The chief priests were the ringleaders in this contempt and
rejection. Why do I say that is strange? Because they were from God's own
specially chosen men who had taught the Word of God and were under God's direct
command and authority.
Today, why do men reject
Christ? The main reason is not intellectual but moral. They will not part with
their sins. They will not have Him to reign over them.
Some do, if fact, receive Him
and believe on His blessed Name: the Lord our Righteousness, the King of Kings
and Lord of Lords, Jesus our Savior. When we do that we are afforded the
highest honor of heaven; we become sons and daughters of the living God.
Have you ever received Him?
If not, why not? You can do it right now.
This vital Bible verse is
just one of 60 carefully selected scriptures that are contained in the
Navigators Scripture Memory course. If you want to
memorize Scripture, but aren't sure what to memorize or how to get started,
this is exactly what you need. The Topical Memory System includes memory verse cards in four different Bible versions -
NIV, KJV, NASB, NKJV. Topics include all of the basics of the Christ-centered
Spirit-filled life, sharing your faith, and growing on to maturity in your walk
with God. May God bless you as you fill your life with His Word.
© Copyright 2002, LeRoy Eims