Over the years, I've heard a number of people say, "I received Jesus as Savior, but not received him as Lord".

I used to argue with them over how that was even possible, but arguing was probably not the best way to approach that.

Anyway, they really believed, that what they were saying, was true.

Apparently it is the verb used that seems to make the difference.

Similar to how when Jesus rode into Jerusalem, the multitude gladly received him.

But a few days later, with the chief priests' help, they rejected the of King of the Jews, to the point of crying out, Crucify him", and received him not.

In other words, it is possible to "receive" somethings about Jesus, but not "receiving" other things about Jesus.

But if the verb is "believe", then that is different.

I've never heard anyone say, "I believe that Jesus is the Savior, but I do not believe that he is the Lord".

That is because when someone believes on Jesus, they believe on who he is, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior.

But when we use the word "receive", at least in our case, it seems more related to what we accept.

We gladly accept his forgiveness of our sins, but so often balk at accepting his will for our lives.

I Corinthians 12:3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

If we cannot even say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost, then we certainly cannot live his will, without submitting to his Spirit.

Romans 7 details this battle in our lives, where it shows how easily, and how often, we turn things over to our old nature.

We cannot possibly live right, unless we submit to, and are led by, the Spirit of the Lord.

When some say that they have not received him as Lord, perhaps they are being more honest than many of us are.

So many times during the day, when we turn things over to our old nature, we are at that moment, not receiving his Lordship in our lives.

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