It is very natural to think, "If the Son of God were now upon earth, O how gladly would we receive him into our houses." If you really would, you now cordially receive the report of him into your heart: you now welcome it by faith as the most precious truth that ever saluted your ears.
What is it to receive Christ? There is endless perplexity in the conscience of many poor sinners, whether they have received Christ, when they received him, what it is to receive him, how they received him, and whether they received him aright. Satan thus gets great advantage over many. You would have no difficulty to tell whether you received a dear friend, how your heart stood affected towards him, and what reception you gave him. How is it between Christ and your soul? Do you see him, believe on him, and trust in him as a Saviour just suited to your ruined, desperate, hopeless state? Bless the Holy Spirit for this; for you have received Christ.
Now consider the blessedness of this. You have also received Him who sent Christ, that is, God the Father: he gave Christ for us: he sent Christ to us. Therefore, God is now your loving Father in Christ: he is reconciled to you: all his attributes are engaged for you: he declares, "I will be merciful to your unrighteousness: your sins and your iniquities I will remember no more." Heb. 8:12. 'You are safe from the curse of sin, the condemnation of the law, and the power of Satan, for your Father's right hand is your defence. If he stretch it forth to chastise and afflict you, it is ail in love. O the joy of faith! For,
You are his child in Christ. Though in yourself you are sinful and miserable, have wicked thoughts, vile lusts, and the workings of unbelief, these all spring from your flesh, in which dwells no good thing; these are common to all the children of God: therefore think it not strange that you are made to groan under a body of sin and death from day to-day; let not these mar your comfort, nor prevent your joy of being accepted in Christ. You ever have access to God, and may come with all holy boldness before him. Ephesians 3: 12.