Those Who Accept Jesus

‘For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. ‘ John 17:8 (NIV)

Accept Christ as your personal Saviour!  We have all heard it.  Perhaps we have admonished others with those words.  Usually we follow it up with a push to have someone start coming to our church.  We know that the person´s eternal fate along with all the other countless people they may come into contact with may hinge on their reaction to the offer.  Jesus speaks highly of these cherished ones that God gave Him.  But who are we talking about when we consider those who accept Jesus?

We might not be able to call ourselves Christians if we did not immediately raise our hands and declare boldly that it is surely us who have accepted Christ.  But the subject may have sufficient ever-lasting consequences to pay should we get our theology wrong here.  We might want to make good and sure that on this eternally important issue we stand where we should in relation to the God we claim to love.  So what is accepting Jesus?  Have we all done it?  Are all Christians already included in those Jesus is talking about?

Some may care to scrutinize their own faith so that they can be sure they are included with Jesus. To those who will, He gives us hope. He gives us something to test ourselves.  He shows us a little of what those blessed souls are like.  He refers to them as those who receive His words.  Would this be people who merely hear His teachings?  Or could they be those who hungrily devoured them?  Are they the ones who feed from every word Jesus gives them as if they were starved and they needed those words to live?  Jesus also mentions that the special ones actively accept His words.  Does that mean these individuals make a mental calculation and allows Jesus the privilege of being correct according to their judgment or logic?  Or could this define a type of person who will trust Jesus even over their own interpretation?  Would someone who accepts the words of Jesus mean that they put their trust in Him and His Character far before the true understanding is fully revealed unto them?  Are they accepting to believe on Him to lead them into the Presence of God even though it means they will have to question themselves in the process?  Are they accepting all the words Jesus is offering them, or just the positive ones?

Our Saviour describes the ones in His prayers as ones given unto Him by the Father.  Are we given to Jesus?  Do we know Him that well?  Do we love Him that much?  Do we go through our day looking to Him?  Are we that given to Him?  If God is the Giver of this closeness we have with Jesus, does this mean that we have drawn ourselves close enough to Him that He is able to gracefully give us His Son?  Are we familiar enough with our Lord that we are moved by His impulses?  If God gives us Jesus to follow do we love Him enough to take Him up on His offer?  Do we readily turn from our busy schedules and personal agendas to make the Son our priority?  Has He really given us that much?  Have we really believed in Christ enough to put our entire lives into His hands?  Are we seeking Him and a close and vital walk with Him?  Do we really believe that God sends His Son to us today to show us where to place each step?  Are we the blessed few who accept Jesus now?

Dear Jesus,

So many voices would take away the urgency of this moment.  But we would hear You.  Give us words from You now that will give us life.  Give us words of encouragement, instruction and love.  Give us words of God our Father.  Give to us so we can be those precious ones that God gives to You!  Let us accept You now in us we pray!

Amen