RECEIVING—THE ULTIMATE BLESSING

The apostle Paul in Ephesians 2:8 tells us that salvation is a “gift.” The process of acquiring a gift is by receiving. So then one’s life of faith is represented as receiving. A person simply accepts His free gift. Paul makes clear that there is no deed or “work” on the part of the individual to which one can claim credit for their salvation.

“Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord …” (Colossians 2:6). What does it mean to “receive Christ?” It’s like the Texas ground which until a few weeks ago, was drought ridden. But in the last week the skies have opened up and have poured out some much needed rain on this dry and thirsty land. The earth drank in the rain—received it freely. Christ-followers are but containers into which the living water of God’s free grace flows. We are empty dry vessels into which God pours His salvation.

The genuineness of this receiving is that Christ becomes real to us.  Christ becomes Lord. The Word is our life of faith and it becomes meaningful and tangible to us. Through a simple act of faith Jesus becomes a real person in the consciousness of our heart. Without faith Jesus is just a mere name. He was some good person who lived long ago that is just simply now a part of history!
Let’s take this idea of receiving a bit further. It connotes grasping or getting possession of. The thing which you receive becomes your own. You appropriate yourself that which is given. When you receive Jesus, Christ becomes your Savior and neither life nor death will be able to take Him from you. To take Jesus as God’s free gift—to receive Christ—is to realize Him in your heart and to appropriate Him as yours.
Receiving salvation is the ultimate blessing because you have received Jesus Christ Himself from which all blessings flow. You receive the blessing of life from death, the forgiveness of sin, and righteousness. These are precious but pale in comparison to what has been poured into you, Christ Himself. It is said that heaven itself can’t contain all of Him. If you have received Him into your heart you should be pretty full of praise right about now!

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