He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. -John 1:10-13
Imagine someone coming up to you somewhere and saying hello and asking how you were doing, but for the life of you, you could not recall who the person was. You hate to say “do I know you?” especially when the person is so confident that he knows you. That would be a most uncomfortable situation. Here we see what it’s like when the Lord came into the world. He came to people seeking to save that which was lost, and those He came seeking have said, “Do I know you? No; I don’t know you.” People continue to treat the Lord as someone who they do not recognize.
Let's take this verse a step further and point out that this can be applied to the greater human family – the human race. We are also the Lord’s own, but so many still do not recognize Him as Lord. Here we see the great and wonderful gift given to those who do recognize that Jesus is the Son of God: We receive power to become the Sons and daughters of God. We believe on His name; we receive Him as Savior and Lord, the Holy Spirit is given, and we are transformed into His children. We had to first receive Him as Savior and Lord. To receive Him means that we welcomed the Lord into our hearts. We did not shut Him out, we did not refuse Him, and neither did we refuse to answer as He knocked upon the door of our hearts. Rather, we received Him. We received Him and the Lord accepted us – as we are, sinners in need of salvation.
Having received Christ we were given power which comes through the great and blessed work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit comforts, guides, helps, lifts up, provides discernment, and brings to mind what the Lord has said. But consider this also: The Holy Spirit motivates believers to do the work of the kingdom. I am certain that someone reading this either has received, or knows someone who has received, a B-12 shot. I take B-12 in a vitamin form, and I believe it gives me some added energy. This is similar to one of the functions of the Holy Spirit: He provides us with the motivation and energy to do Kingdom work. When we aren’t feeling motivated to do the Lord’s work, the Holy Spirit will empower us to go forward with a kind of supernatural energy and strength. Acts 1:8 says that we will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon us and we will be His witnesses. This power is of a supernatural kind. Such power is available only to those who have received the Lord Jesus.
We cannot receive Him unless we have first believed upon Him. According to the Scripture, we become born of God. This is something accomplished only through faith in God. Having received Him as Lord we find salvation through Him.
