What does it mean to receive Christ into our hearts?

To receive Christ into our hearts signifies recognizing Him for who He is as revealed in Scripture and acknowledging His finished work on the cross. This act is not merely a verbal agreement but a heart reception born from the new birth that God grants. In John 1:12, it is clear that those who receive Him are given the power to become children of God—this receiving is prompted by the regeneration of the Holy Spirit. Thus, it encompasses trusting wholly in Christ alone, removing any reliance on our own merit or actions.