We must personally receive Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord then we can know God personally and experience His love.

We must believe in and receive Christ.
"To all who received Him, He gave the right to become children of God.  All they had to do was to trust [believer in] Him to save them." (John 1:12)

We receive Christ by faith.
"For it is by grace you have been saved.  through faith and this ins not from yourselves, it is a gift of God - not by works so that no one can boast." (Ephesians 2:8,9)

When we receive Christ we experience a new birth.
(See John 3:1-8.)

We receive Christ by personal invitation.
[Christ is speaking] "Behold, I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him." (Revelation 3:20)

Receiving Christ involves:
-Recognizing our need for Christ.
-Turning to Christ and away from self (repentance).
-Trusting Christ to come into our lives, forgive our sins, and make us what He wants us to be.

Just to agree that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He died on the cross for our sins is not enough.  Nor is it enough to have an emotional experience  We receive Jesus Christ by faith as a decision of our will.  

This illustration represents two types of lives:

The one on the left does not have Christ in their life.  The one on the right has Christ in the life and on the throne (in control).  

Which circle best represents your life?
Which circle would you like to represent your life?