'Receive.'
John 13:20.
a) Truly, truly, I say to you,
b) He who receives
c) Whomever I send
d) Receives Me;
e) And he who receives Me
f) Receives Him Who sent Me.
g) Luke 9:48. ...whoever Receives Me, Receives Him Who sent Me.
(This QT reminds me of the Lord's counsel to us: Receive)
PRAYER: To Receive Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Saviour.
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'Believe.'
John 3:36.
a) The one who believes in the Son
b) Has Eternal Life,
c) But the one who disobeys the Son
d) Will not see life -
e) But the wrath of God
f) Remains on him.
(This Second one calls on me to Believe in the Son - The Lord Jesus Christ)
PRAYER: For Faith to Believe and keep believing in the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Saviour.
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Chris.
The word that the Lord Jesus uses about beginning our relationship with Him and with God is the word: Believe. This is followed by the word: Receive. These simple verbs, until today, are key words about our part in the 'personal relationship' with God. To become a New Creation in Christ, or, to become a part of the Church, the Body of Christ, we need to Believe and Receive.
If we emphasize living a New Life in Christ, or have Discipleship Training, without the simple 'Believe' and 'Receive' first, we put heavy spiritual and emotional chains around people. The clear 'Believe' and 'Receive' are essentially the first steps in becoming a follower of the Lord Jesus.
We should never make it burdensome to others in our presentation of the Gospel to them, Jesus Himself never made it so. He said: "... My yoke is easy and My burden is light; you shall find rest for your souls..."
When Jesus Himself used the words: "born again", He clearly went on to explain what He meant by them.
In our Gospel sharing, our Message should be:
1-Prayerfully presented.
2-Easy for anyone to understand.
3-Anointed by the Holy Spirit.
4-Shared with Love and Compassion.
5-Not judgmental or seemingly angry.
6-Following the example and style set by the Lord Jesus Himself.
7-Always inclusive.
8-Never exclusive.
