What does it mean to receive Jesus according to John 1?
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To receive Jesus is to accept Him as our Savior and to be born of God, not through human will but through divine intervention (John 1:12-13).
Receiving Jesus, as articulated in John 1:12-13, distinguishes itself from merely accepting Him according to human criteria. The passage states, '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: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.' This illustrates that true faith involves a transformative act of God whereby believers are granted new life and identity as children of God. Thus, to receive Christ is to experience divine regeneration, an act solely orchestrated by God, emphasizing His sovereignty in the salvation process.
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