Ten Reasons To Not Ask Jesus Into Your Heart

62 Responses

Brian, on April 18th, 2005 at 2:17 pm Said:

The article says, “If you are reading this and you asked Jesus into your heart, chances are good you had a spiritual buzz for a while, but now you struggle to read your Bible, tithe, attend church and pray.” Jesus talks about the kingdom of God in a very different way in Matthew 25:

34“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’
Jerry Williams, on April 18th, 2005 at 3:33 pm Said:

I fail to see the relavance of this as it pertains to the attributes a true christian relates, and the article is a warning brothers to examine whether or not they ARE true christians. Once “saved, born again, a christian…” we must die to self, take up our cross daily and follow him. Once one puts his/her hand to the plow these verses will certainly be a result of the new life in Christ. I agree with the points individually supporting one another, working in conjunction with each other. I dont believe that this passage of scripture will apply to someone who is not a Christian.
Note: In using the term Christian I am referring to someone who has realized their spiritual condition (being a sinner), surrendered their will to Gods, and has accepted Jesus perfect sacrifice for their sins.
GalatiansC4V16, on April 18th, 2005 at 4:28 pm Said:

Thanks for your comments guys. Brian, either I missed your point or you missed mine, and I am not sure which. Maybe this will clarify things some.

The verses you quoted from Matt 25:34-40 are definitely fruits of someone with salvation, and go right along with what I would expect from someone who has been regenerated. However, you quote them after saying that Jesus talked about the kingdom in “a different way” in this passage. I am not sure you understood the point of my original article in order for you to make this statement.

Jesus’ words that you quoted do not disagree or talk about the kingdom in “a different way”, but rather, support precisely the points I was making. Namely, that there are true and false believers. The entire chapter of Matthew 25 is about that very subject:

Matt 25:1-13 is about “The Parable of the Ten Virgins”, which is about, true and false believers.

Matt 25:14-28 is about “The Parable of the Talents” which is about, true and false believers.

Matt 25: 31-46 (where you quote from) is about “The Sheep and the Goats” which is about, true and false believers.

Jesus’ point in this whole chapter is precisely what I was saying, namely that there are going to be those who “think” they are in the kingdom, but in reality, are not.

What you have done is rip out the middle of Jesus’ statement in this passage where he is describing the difference of fruits between the “righteous” and the “unrighteous”, and you have only quoted the part where he describes the righteous. Jesus is not teaching in this passage that those who do these things are going to get to heaven because of their doing them, but rather that these are the genuine fruits of those who are true converts. If you are using this passage to say that Jesus is teaching that salvation is of those who “do” these things, you have misrepresented the entirety of His message in this entire chapter.

True exposition of Scripture takes into account the entirety of the surrounding context to draw its conclusions, not just taking the quotes out of the middle of the context to support a point you are trying to make.

Jesus taught about this same subject in Mark 4 when he taught about ‘The Parable of the Sower”, which again was about true and false believers. This is why Jesus asked in verse 13: “Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable?” This is because this subject is so important, and that many of the parables he taught were about this same subject: true and false converts, those who “think” they are saved, when they are not.

This is the point I was trying to make about not “asking Jesus into your heart” and believing that without the knowledge of sin, you can be saved. Doing so puts one clearly into the category Jesus is warning about.
Brian, on April 20th, 2005 at 1:57 pm Said:

The author says, “chances are good you had a spiritual buzz for a while, but now you struggle to read your Bible, tithe, attend church and pray.” So logically the two kinds of people he’s talking about look something like this:

A backslider: DOES NOT read the Bible, tithe, attend church, and pray
A true believer: DOES read the Bible, tithe, attend church, and pray

Just like the sheep & goats. The sheep do these things, the goats do not do these things. But the author of the article uses Bible reading, tithing, church attendance, and prayer as the indicators of a true believer. In the parable Jesus uses feeding, clothing, inviting in, and giving drink to “the least of (Jesus’) brothers” as the distinction. James says true & pure religion is to care for orphans and widows & to keep from being polluted by the world and that faith without works is dead.
GalatiansC4V16, on April 21st, 2005 at 12:05 pm Said:

Brian,

Thanks for clarifying your original point with the updated post. I think I can get a better understanding of what you are saying now. I also think that we aren’t necessarily disagreeing about the same subject/point, but are rather agreeing on different subjects/points. Let me clarify:

The author made an original point in the article, to which you responded in a manner that displayed a disagreement. That was indicated by your “a different way” comment. But then as evidence of your disagreement, you quoted verses and made points that were true, but they were true about another issue. It wasn’t that I disagreed with the things you said, but that those points don’t counter the author’s original point. Rather, they are true points of another conversation or subject.

It seemed like this for an example. I am on an elevator and the doors open. I say a truth, “this elevator is going up” and ask, “Are you getting on?” You then respond, “I disagree, the sky is blue”. I stand there perplexed because you said you disagreed with my statement of truth “the elevator is going up” but then your evidence, while true, “the sky is blue”, has nothing to do with my original truth statement. I can’t argue with your statement as something that is false, because I agree the sky is blue. But it still doesn’t have anything to do with my original truth statement. You’ve provided no evidence that the elevator is going down, and are instead, talking about “something else”. This leaves me in the position of recognizing the difference in what we are talking about, but still not understanding where we are disagreeing. I therefore don’t understand your original point of disagreement.

All analogies will eventually fail in direct comparison, but this where I am in this dialog.

The author’s original point was one of “self analysis”, which is purely biblical (2 Cor 13:5). His point is one of urging people to check to see if they have simply “believed in Jesus” and are counting that as saving faith. If so, it is not saving faith and no different than what the demon’s believe (James 2:19). His point was about one’s PERSONAL walk with God and SELF ANALYSIS, not one’s outward display of evidence of faith (works).

The logic you quote:

“A backslider: DOES NOT read the Bible, tithe, attend church, and pray
A true believer: DOES read the Bible, tithe, attend church, and pray”

…does not follow because the author is not talking about these things in a cut and dry “works” sort of fashion. But rather, that an individual who claims to walk with God, who does not do these things, is being inconsistent. This point has nothing to do with the additional fruits of a genuine walk, which would also include helping the people you mention.

You are correct in pointing out that those things are ALSO consistent with the walk of a genuine believer, but not INSTEAD of. The things you add are additions to evidence of a legitimate walk, not things that are opposed to the evidences the author mentions.

When James talks about faith without works being dead, he is not saying that works save. He is saying that the outwardly display of the works, indicate the legitimate inward change in a person. His teaching point is that we are justified in the eyes of God by our faith alone, but we are justified in the eyes of man by our works. Not that we are justified because we do the works.

True Christians have works: they help the poor, the orphaned, the homeless, etc. But they also have other things in their lives that are indicative of their legitimate walk: prayer, fellowshipping, Scripture studying, tithing, etc. These things are not in opposition to the things you mention, but are other (inward) examples of a legitimate walk. They don’t save you anymore than feeding the homeless saves you. But they should exist in a true believer.

The reason the author uses these examples of a legitimate walk is because they are things that an individual can consider themselves in self-analysis. Only you and God know if you do most of those things he mentions. The fruits that you mentioned, anyone can do, whether they are Christians or not. My father-in-law does a lot of things to help the community. He contributes time and money to help others. But he would never claim to be a Christian. It doesn’t take a Christian to help others. On the contrary, it is unlikely that there would be unbelievers who would read the Bible, tithe, attend church, and pray.

The author of the article makes the point that just because one claims to be a Christian because of “saying a prayer” or “accepting Jesus”, it doesn’t mean that they are “a new creation”. He challenges the person who claims to be a believer with Biblical evidence of the things in their private life that should be present if “a new creation” has been produced. His challenge is that “if these things are not in your life, to reflect and see if you have repented, and if you actually have become “a new creation””, because there is a difference in Biblical repentance resulting in saving faith, and just having a “belief” in some facts about Jesus. To one who has undergone repentance AND belief, this should not be offensive, as they understand the Bible makes the same challenge to us. To one who has not undergone repentance AND belief, but rather, JUST belief, this could be offensive because repentance has not taken place.

The crux of his argument is that the gospel message isn’t just to agree who Jesus is. Mark 1:14 says that “the good news” that is to be proclaimed is that people should “REPENT AND BELIEVE”. Not JUST believe. True belief comes after repentance, and that works are evidence of that happening. He makes the point that much of evangelism today does not focus on (or even mention) repentance, but rather asks the person to just “ask Jesus in his heart”. His concluding point that “asking Jesus into your heart” without repentance, does not result in “a new creation” or saving faith, and the fruits of the walk he mentions are usually not present in this case. His point is valid and true, and is one of the reasons why John wrote the epistle of 1 John (“so that you may know” you have eternal life – by your walk having these fruits).

Your point, which is also a good one, is that those are NOT THE ONLY fruits of a legitimate walk, but that feeding the hungry, etc. ARE ALSO things that should be present. I might add that the fruits of the spirit from Galatians 5:22 are other things that should be in a legitimate walk. Your points are ALSO TRUE, but they do not refute the original point of the author, which appeared to be the intentions of your first post when you made the “a different way” comment.

Just as I stand in the elevator trying to figure out how your “additional truth” is evidence of a “difference in opinion” from my first truth statement, likewise, I don’t see how your “additional truth” of other fruits is evidence of “a different way” than the author’s original point. But rather, they are both true in the points they are trying to make. Whew!
Jerry Williams, on April 21st, 2005 at 12:12 pm Said:

Unfortunately in Christian society today, many believers have come to the conclusion, or been taught incorrectly that judging others is wrong by quoting, “Judge not lest ye be judged” (Matt. 7:1) If we continue to read that chapter we understand that we are required to judge. We are required to judge our own lives and be willing that others judge us in the same manner we judge them. We can not judge the heart of a man, but we can make judgement calls based on the works of a man. Would you be so bold as to let a known child molester keep your child simply because you can’t judge him? If you do not allow him to keep your child you would be judging him. Certainly not! Based on the fruits he bares, we know we must avoid that pitfall.

I believe that the marks of a true Christian from both of you are correct. The author of the original article was using the points to bring someone who may not be a “Christian” to an understanding of their spiritual condition. The object of the article was to awaken within non-Christians (whether having never claimed to be redeemed or having a false conversion) an understanding of their fate based on the evidences in their life. As it says in 2 Corinthians, we are to test ourselves to make sure we are in the faith.

Certainly there are many other traits that we as Christians are to “put on” (Gal. 5.22-26; Eph. 5.9-33). All of these we should be exhibiting as children of God. This list also is not all inclusive, but merely a subset of all teaching in the bible. In reference to false prophets Jesus says you shall know them by their fruits (Matt. 7.15-16,20). Simply put, we should be displaying these fruits so that people around us will KNOW we are Christians. We are proof that Jesus is who He says He is (God’s son; John 17.23).

On the other side of that same coin there are traits which are not becoming of the new man. Those who are still under the law (Gal. 5.18-21) exhibit these straits that Christians should not be witnesses of in their life. Just as bad, or even worse are the men who come into the church, speaking false teachings, or twisting God’s words out of context, causing disunity, false doctrine, and false conversions (Matt. 7.15-16).
I believe that works “reveal” our eternal fate. I do not believe that they “determine” it. What determines it is our faith in Jesus Christ. What proves that in fact has been determined is the evidence in our life. The cause of salvation is faith in Jesus Christ plus nothing (no works). But the consequence of that is works. Let’s see if I can illustrate this.

I was riding with a man who was an executive in a seminary (we were talking about something and I saw a Liquor Store).

I said, “That’s an interesting, it’s called the ‘Finest Liquor Store’. What a strange name for a Liquor Store–The Finest.”

He said, “Oh, that’s a chain, they are all over the place.”
I said, “Really?”

He said, “Yeah, I know the man that owns them. He’s in my Sunday School class!”

I said, “He is?”

He said, “Yeah, he comes regularly. He’s been coming for years.”

I said, “Is he a Christian?”

He said, “Oh yes, he’s received the Lord.”

I said, “Well, is the rest of his life in order, or is this something off. . . ?”

“Well, not really” he said, “He’s been shacking up with a young girl and he has left his wife and so forth.”

I said, “How long has that been going on?”

“Well its been going on nearly a year now, and we have been trying to work with him and so forth.”

And then he said this to me, “You know, I just can’t understand how a Christian can live like that?”

And I looked over at him and I said, “Have you ever thought that maybe the guy is not a Christian?”

And he said, “Well I remember when he prayed the prayer.”

I said, “What prayer?”

“Well, the prayer that invited Christ into his life.”

Is that what saves you? I mean, you say, “All right Lord. . . .” I know that there is one theologian in America who says, “If you say that to God on a dare, He has to save you, no matter what your life is after that!” Is that true? That’s not what James said, “Faith without works is. . . .” what? “dead!” That’s not what Hebrews 3 says, when it says that you will enter into rest “if you hold your confidence fast to the end.” That’s not what James said, when he said, “You better be a doer and not just a hearer or you will wind up deceiving yourself.”

The point is this, works do not determine your salvation–they just manifest that you really are, or are not saved. Do you see the point? When God judges men He will judge them on the basis of their deeds, because their deeds will manifest whether, in fact, they are regenerate or not. That’s the issue. I do not believe in works salvation, neither do I believe in a salvation that has no works that follow it.

People sometimes say, “I know so and so and I know that they don’t go to church and they are living an awful life, but I remember the day when they went down the isle.” Well, do you know what it meant when they went down the isle? It meant that they went down the isle! It meant that they went to the front, and it didn’t mean anything more then that they went to the front. If there is nothing else there, James says, “Then don’t tell me that’s faith, because faith that has no works isn’t faith at all!” If you believe that the Bible says, “If any man be in Christ, he is a. . . .” what? “a new creation,” then you have got to believe that has to be manifest.

Some people are tough to figure out, because it is possible for a Christian to fall into a lapse of disobedience. And it is even possible for a Christian to fall into a lapse of disobedience and never come out of it because the Lord takes him home. Right? Some of the Corinthians died in the middle of their disobedience. Ananias and Sapphria were snuffed quickly, right in front of the whole Church. That was just after they had given the biggest offering of their life. The problem was that they told God they were going to give it all and they didn’t. Don’t make promises to God that you don’t want to keep.

Please understand that I do not believe that you are saved by your works. But I believe God can look at your works as the objective proof that you have been saved. And He will look at your works and see the pattern of righteousness, not just relative human goodness, but true righteousness born of a love for God. And He will also see that your name is written in the Book. Subjectively and objectively, you belong to His kingdom. That’s the issue.
richard neisius, on March 8th, 2007 at 2:04 pm Said:

I totally agree that asking Christ into your heart has done more harm to the cause of Salvation than people realize. I used to have that false thinking myself. I also agree that the only two “requirements” for salvation are repentance and trusting Christ. I sometimes wonder though if many are mislead to believe that this trusting and repentance are something they do of their own free will. In John6:65 is says “And He said, therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto Me, except it were given unto him of My Father.”
galatiansc4v16, on March 9th, 2007 at 6:11 pm Said:

Amen Richard,
tr
Mike, on April 23rd, 2007 at 11:15 am Said:

It is interesting that the statement was made that “trusting and repentance are something they do of their own free will” as something that we do not have a choice.
Let’s think about that for a moment. If we do not have a choice in repenting and then trusting then why did Christ come? Why did God create us? We are just pawn’s in God’s whatever. That way of thinking is no better than evolutionary thought. Both say that something started it all and no matter what we do it was part of the cycle for it to happen anyway.
I am not a determinists or predestiny guy because it goes back to our lives being really worth nothing when it comes down to it.
Our God created us so we would choose Him or not. It is up to us and God has always demonstrated that He gives us something to do before He will do what He promised.
Just like the end times we are waiting for. God gave us something to do before He will keep His promise of His sons second comming. We need to share the gospel. Just as the rains did not fall on Noah before Noah had finished the Ark, God will not allow the events of the end times to take place untill the gospel has reached all peoples. That is “Free Will” and nothing less. Anything else would be less thinking through things as God would purpose them to be.
We are not robots or pawns, we are created to make a choice for God or not. Why else would God be sad when we do not choose Him. Why would God need emotion at all for us if we are all just a great big cycle of His creation with no input to cause a different end.
I am going to push it a little here; where does it say that God is all controlling. Being all powerfull does not mean all controlling. I here people say all the time that everything is according to God’s plan. Really! I know that there are many places in the Bible that God had planned things one way but left it up to man to do something first. “If you do this then I will do…” is all over the place. God always has given man kind conditionals. God wants us to play a part in His creation without Him being in overall control. That is what makes us special.
That is why we were created. That is the hope to be able to be a separate entity from God but follow Him in trust. Our choice!
glenn, on June 14th, 2007 at 1:39 pm Said:

2Corinthians 4:17
…If anyone is in Christ, he is a New Creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.v.19 God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself. v. 20..we are ambassadors for Christ..I implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.v.21..He made Him Jesus who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him-JESUS…What is it You do not want to understand…Unless You Have Jesus you are Lost & condemned Yourself! Paul Said We Preach Christ Jesus Crucified & Tisen from the Dead & if he had not risen You Are still in Your SINS!The Book of Galations
galatiansc4v16, on June 14th, 2007 at 1:55 pm Said:

No one disagrees with you Glenn. The issue is how we convey that message. “Ask Jesus in your heart” is unclear on it’s meaning and it not a biblical phrase or concept. “Repent and trust” is and are. Unless we are clear with the gospel, we are not preaching the gospel.

tr
David, on September 14th, 2007 at 7:57 am Said:

Just making this article leads me to believe you too are not saved.
galatiansc4v16, on September 14th, 2007 at 8:10 am Said:

And why would you make such a fickle judgment David? What is wrong with making sure the right gospel is preached?

I’d recommend you listen to this message from Paul Washer called “The Heart Of The Gospel.”

http://media03.sa-media.com/sermons015/81107205231.mp3

tr
David, on September 14th, 2007 at 7:09 pm Said:

Please forgive me for questioning your salvation.
galatiansc4v16, on September 15th, 2007 at 8:12 am Said:

You are forgiven David. Thanks for your apology.

I would be interested in hearing what you think after listening to Paul Washer above.

Thanks,
tr
Daniela, on October 17th, 2007 at 5:59 pm Said:

I am pleased to learn that ‘put Jesus into your heart’ is not biblical. I have a special testimony here:
In 2004 I split with my boyfriend and I became very depressed. One day I was crying and crying when I believe I saw an angel coming from the window and flying next to me. He said to me: ‘David goodbye’…’put Jesus into your heart! I was truly upset and shocked. I tought how can it be? How can it be that God want me to put Jesus into my heart? when I already believe in God? What does really means…I kept asking to myself until today BUT
thanks to your article I can now see the true face of the devil in that very cute angel!
Contentment cannot replace the love I felt for my ex even if I hate him today for leaving me. Jesus cannot feel that hole. The devil wants us to put Jesus in our hearts so we end up alone selfish and disilluded. Why did not the devil ask me to put Mark, Alan or Steven into my heart?
galatiansc4v16, on October 17th, 2007 at 6:09 pm Said:

“For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.” 2 Corinthians 11:13-15

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%2011%20:13-15;&version=31;

tr
Daniela, on October 18th, 2007 at 5:23 am Said:

That’s right! That experience has been very damaging because I was stuck in believing a false belief I should do and it did not give me any hope for the future as in truly finding a way of solving the problem…yes! the answer is certainly repentance and trust in Jesus. We need to work on a complete conversion and actively pray the personal prayer. Jesus wants to be part of our ‘church’ and is always ready to ‘enter’ to participate with us as he is always with us.
galatiansc4v16, on October 18th, 2007 at 9:28 am Said:

There is hope in the Scriptures, in God’s Word. Jesus doesn’t want to be “part” of “our ‘church’,” He wants us to be part of HIS church!

tr
Daniela, on October 19th, 2007 at 1:50 am Said:

true. I am going for bible studies soon. God bless
The Black Informant | Ask Jesus in your heart?, on November 4th, 2007 at 2:51 pm Said:

[...] If you have ever told someone to ask Jesus into their heart (like I have), you produced a false convert. Here is why. (more…) [...]
Jonathan, on December 14th, 2007 at 1:56 pm Said:

Rather interesting article….all part of the last day deception of this time. We need to take heed to ourselves lest we be deceived also and start preaching heresy. what people are doing these days is just recycling whatever they hear on TV, Radio, Internet, and not to mention those abominable books everyone seems to be on the run for, I see your point. I wish more people saw it that way. Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron expound on the tremedously.
Thekid, on March 27th, 2008 at 8:57 pm Said:

Are you athiest?
galatiansc4v16, on March 27th, 2008 at 10:03 pm Said:

To whom do you ask that Thekid?

tr
Joseph, on July 2nd, 2008 at 1:55 pm Said:

I think you are close! Read acts 2:37 “What shall we do?” v38 “REPENT and be BABTIZED EVERYONE OF YOU!
FOR what? FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS and YOU WIL RECIEVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT!
how satan has most of you fooled is because you dont realize that SALVATION is like a pie with different ingredients you guys pit scripture against scripture!
Do I need to BELIVE? YES! Galatians 3:26-27
Do I need to CONFESS ofr call on his name? YES! Acts 22:16
galatiansc4v16, on July 2nd, 2008 at 6:00 pm Said:

Joseph we must interpret the Scriptures with the whole of the Scriptures in mind. They consistently teach that salvation is by grace through faith, and that baptism is not required for salvation. You are proof-texting this passage, and I am familiar with that debate and not interested in having it here.

Jesus said the unbaptized thief on the cross would be with him that day in paradise, but your theology leaves him hopeless. I’ll stick with Jesus’ theology.

tr
Ten Reasons To Not Ask Jesus Into Your Heart « conga joe, on July 14th, 2008 at 2:18 am Said:

[...] July 14, 2008 Ten Reasons To Not Ask Jesus Into Your Heart Posted by conga joe under God http://galatiansc4v16.wordpress.com/2005/04/15/ten-reasons-to-not-ask-jesus-into-your-heart/ [...]
Spiritbear928, on July 19th, 2008 at 8:17 pm Said:

OK. I agree there is more to getting saved then a magic prayer and I believe its faith, repentance evidenced by a changed life. Here is where i draw the line.

1) Baptismal regeneration is just as much a fairy tale because its magic water rather than a magic prayer. Its important but not necessary for salvation

2) Tithing was in the list of what Christians should do. Tithing is not a new testament concept. Even in its OT sense it was different. Tithing as we know is today is nothing but a tax invented by Catholics. How Biblical is that?
galatiansc4v16, on July 19th, 2008 at 10:14 pm Said:

Spiritbear,

Don’t confuse “important” with “being required for salvation.

No one in this piece asserted that baptism or giving were requirements for salvation. Just that they are important fruits that true Christians will bear.

*Notice I used “giving” rather than “tithing” as that is a different discussion of what is a “tithe,” and one that I don’t desire to discuss in this post.

The point is that true Christians will desire to give and to demonstrate their salvation by being obedient in baptism. They are important things, but not required for salvation.

The distinction to be made here is that if someone were to receive Christ and be “saved” on Tuesday, but died on Thursday and never gave a dime or was baptized, they still have eternal life because their salvation was on the merits of Christ not on their works.

That is a different scenario from someone who has claimed to be a Christian for 10 years and doesn’t give and won’t be baptized. Resistance to these things can be a problem. But stating that these tings are important and that it is a problem if they are resisted is not the same as equating them to being required for salvation.

Understand that point?

tr
Keith, on August 30th, 2008 at 11:21 pm Said:

tr,

I think you may trivialize and push aside baptism too quickly. I understand you not wanting to have the argument here as this was not the focus of your article (Which for the most part I thought was very good). However you seem a little ignorant in using a thief on the cross as your theory since if looked into is a false one. Dr. Morey used it as point number 10 in his “12 Reasons Why Baptism is not essential for Salvation” One of the best explanations of this and other faulty assumptions against baptism (besides the Bible) I’ve found is at http://www.padfield.com/acrobat/asher/12-reasons.pdf If you are interested check it out.

Perhaps we can interupt in different ways and agree to disagree (for I mean no disrespect to you), but I am always wary of those who feel they have the knowledge or right to add or take away from the word of God. (Deut. 4:2 & Rev. 22:18-19)

From your responses I take it that you truly are a sincere and respectful person, and I hope you take my comments in the same fashion. Thank you again for your article, it brought up many important points.

God Bless,
Keith
Tim, on November 12th, 2008 at 2:32 pm Said:

PLEASE DO NOT BELIVETHIS ARTICLE!

In the Bible it says to beware of false profits. Satan is leading you astray through this article!\
YOU NEED JESUS CHRIST TO GET TO HEAVEN!

Without Him you will burn in the eternal fire with the devill and his angels.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE! ASK JESUS IN YOUR HEART

even if you belive the top message what harm could that do???

THE ONLY WAY TO HEAVEN IS BY ACCEPTING JESUS AS YOUR PERSONAL SAVIOR! _ asking Him in your heart…

Let Him come in!-

I am praying that all of you will come to know HIM.
Melanie, on November 14th, 2008 at 1:25 pm Said:

Thanks for this article.

It’s sad how much deception is out there and how many people are trying to drag others along with them.

I am looking for a church here in Orange County CA that teaches this. If anyone knows of one please let me know. I currently go to a great bible teaching church, but I feel at times they don’t emphasize this message enough.
galatiansc4v16, on November 14th, 2008 at 3:49 pm Said:

Melanie,

Here is a great place to start:

http://churchsearch2.9marks.org/searchmap.php
galatiansc4v16, on November 14th, 2008 at 4:03 pm Said:

Tim,

I’m going to go out on a limb and take guess that you didn’t even read the article.

tr
Jenn, on November 15th, 2008 at 1:50 pm Said:

There is absolute truth to this article. I was a false convert for 40 years until I fell down to my knees, and I truly repented of my sins. The veil of deception was lifted off from me at that moment! I was told as a little girl, to “Ask Jesus into my heart”. I did at the age of five, and all those years I thought that I was saved. I never could figure out why I didn’t have a strong desire to actually follow Jesus. I lived my life like hell and thinking all the while that I was saved. I had all the head knowledge of the bible, but I had never surrendered my life to God. Huge difference. My mom is still telling grandchildren to ‘Ask Jesus into their hearts”. I sent her this article, I pray that she reads it, and heeds its words. Awesome work, Todd!
Keith, on November 15th, 2008 at 10:23 pm Said:

Tim,

I have to agree with tr. Make sure and read an article before you judge it. At no point while reading the article can you come away thinking that you do not need Jesus Christ to get to heaven.
The point is stressed that there is much more too it than a simple statement that as Jean mentions, is often made without follow through and total committment.

This is a well written article which brings up several important points and to dismiss it as Satan’s efforts to lead people astray is way off base. Next time try reading something before making a judgement.

Never the less it is interesting to see how quickly people can get confused when we rush to assumptions.

Keith
Ed, on November 16th, 2008 at 6:47 pm Said:

Jenn,

I was likewise a false convert for 25 years. I “asked Jesus into my heart” when I was 11. I attended a Christian school and went to Church every Sunday. I was “baptized in the Holy Spirit” and spoke in what I thought was tongues. I spent 25 years with a “form of godliness” (2Ti 3:5) but could never surrender and make Christ my Lord. I “repented” as in “I am sorry Lord” but could never fully turn from my sins. During that time I broke every single commandment in either action or thought. I continually asked Jesus for help and forgiveness, but did not make him Lord of my life. I trusted too much in my own works and was never able to deny myself (Mat. 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23) to follow him. I read every so called Christian self help book and strived to live a life that honored God. Despite that, I never had a desire to read the Word; neither did I have any of the indications in 1 John of what a Christian should do or be. Yet I kept trying to understand why nothing in my life had changed. Why was I not a new creation? Because I was not born again. This article is essential for anyone who can relate to what Jenn or I are saying. Works are not the means to salvation but without the fruit in your life, there is a very good chance that you are believing in a lie. You do not want to hear “…I never knew you…” (Mat 7:23)
9 Reasons Not To “Ask Jesus Into Your Heart,” Numbers 1 to 3 — SojournKids, on November 20th, 2008 at 11:11 am Said:

[...] adapted from Todd Friel’s “Ten Reasons To Not Ask Jesus Into Your Heart” (April 15, 2005), GalatiansC4V16 Blog; Graeme Goldsworthy, Gospel-Centered Hermeneutics, (IVP, 2006), [...]
Pelatiah Ministries, on November 26th, 2008 at 6:30 pm Said:

The person who is quoting Matthew 25 istaking it out of context. The works described here are as a RESULT of true conversion. They are not done after you ask Jesus into your heart. Why would Jesus want to inhabit a dirty vessel anyway? Didn’t the priests of the Temple have to clean the outside and inside of containers before they were used? So how do we “get clean”? The article makes that abundantly clear: repent and trust. God then “cleans the inside” so to speak, clothes us in the righteousness of Christ, then gives us new hearts with new desires. It is then that Jesus, in the form of the Holy Spirit, comes into our hearts. The Bible states that we are baptized with the Holy Spirit.
The Heresy of the Sinner’s Prayer | prayeramedic, on January 28th, 2009 at 2:49 am Said:

[...] This blog post spells it out really well if you want to read it. No one reads long posts here, so I am using video for this post. Click here to read more. . . . [...]
Kristina, on March 2nd, 2009 at 3:37 pm Said:

How about Ephesians 3:17?

16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
galatiansc4v16, on March 2nd, 2009 at 3:41 pm Said:

Kristina,

Thanks for your comment. No one has said that Christ doesn’t dwell in the believer’s heart, which this passage indicates.

This blog is simply saying that the Bible does not say that we “ask him to come into our hearts” as the means for salvation. This language is not the Biblical gospel, and someone hearing that phrase-ology only, would not understand Biblical repentance, trusting in Christ, and what the cross means.

tr
Steven, on May 3rd, 2009 at 1:13 am Said:

Hello and thank you for re-posting this.

a fellow laborer in His harvest,
Steven
galatiansc4v16, on May 3rd, 2009 at 10:44 pm Said:

You’re welcome Steven. Thanks for your partnership in the gospel!

tr
Timm, on June 11th, 2009 at 11:34 pm Said:

Greetings Todd,
Your article intrigued me, since I am in the process of separating wheat from chaff, false doctrine from sound, etc. I have a short paper (in MS Word format) pertaining to this topic that I’d like to slide by you for your feedback. Would you be interested?
Regards,
Timm

P.S. Congrats on responding to your readers’ comments four years after the fact. Now that’s perseverance!
Timm, on June 11th, 2009 at 11:39 pm Said:

forgot to check the notification box!
Regards,
Timm
galatiansc4v16, on June 12th, 2009 at 7:23 am Said:

TImm,

This is Todd Friel’s article, which I reposted on my blog: GalatainsC4V16. The posting and the comments are mine; the article is Todd’s.

I’ll send you his email address privately and you can email him with your questions.

tr
Elizabeth Haily, on July 12th, 2009 at 2:28 pm Said:

You are sorely misleading people. Please do not use the internet to discuss matters you should discuss and resolve with Jesus if you are indeed a true christian. Everything happens for a reason, to somehow help in the future to further God’s kingdom. People would not make the same mistake over and over again about the bible. God would set them right. If people are reading this, you are discouraging and confusing them from the God who loves them unconditionally. I knew what it meant to ask Jesus into my heart when I could first speak. I asked Him into my heart when I was 2-3 years old and have been a christian blossoming and growing in my faith. I have never backslid, my conscious was always there to keep me close to Jesus. My walk with the Heavenly Father has never faltered because, though I’ve had heartbreak, I truly love Him. If people are given the choice of reading this, and reading the bible, please people, read the bible. It’s God’s Holy Word and a double-edged sword cutting people to the heart so that it touches you enough for you to surrender all to Jesus. Keep praying the prayer of acceptance, it pleases Jesus.
The reason for this message was not to convict the author, only the Holy Spirit can do so, but to prevent a troubled heart from misleading other troubled hearts who don’t have Jesus in their hearts, lives and minds.
I’m praying for the author of this website.
God Bless!
galatiansc4v16, on July 14th, 2009 at 8:26 am Said:

Elizabeth,

Your “judgmental” insinuation that those who do not believe as you do regarding “asking Jesus into your heart” are not “indeed a true Christian” is unappreciated.

I would retort that the proof is on you to demonstrate the truth of your assertion, by sharing what verse in Scripture says that “asking Jesus into your heart” is a way of salvation? That is not Biblical language, nowhere does the Bible use that language anywhere; even worse, it doesn’t’ explain what it means.

This terminology is often used with kids, and it is precisely this language that is confusing, not the refutation of it. Kids, nor adults, understand what it means and the Bible doesn’t explain it.

The point of this post is to demonstrate that the Biblical language of “repent and receive Christ” is preferred because it is clear and Biblically defined.

Someone asking, “What does it it mean to ask Jesus into my heart” will be lost trying to find that answer in Scripture. Someone asking, “What does it mean to ‘repent and receive Christ’ will find the answers plentiful. Therefore it is much preferred.

If you disagree and don’t prefer the Biblical language, that is fine, but don’t insinuate that those who prefer the Biblical language over this contemporary confusion are not “indeed true Christians.”

In so doing, you demonstrate the dogma of your opinions over God’s preferred method of terminology in His Word.

tr
galatiansc4v16, on July 17th, 2009 at 2:20 pm Said:

Elizabeth,

Here is the perfect example of the lie you’ve bought:

How To Make Your Child A False Convert

tr
Jennifer, on July 18th, 2009 at 12:08 pm Said:

This article has helped me understand my continuing struggle. Thank you.
David Lille, on July 26th, 2009 at 4:31 am Said:

Hello Sir,

You seem to be well versed in Bible theology so I have some questions for you. This may be long so its ok if you dont put it on the website but maybe you could throw some links my way. Thank you.

I was born and raised Jewish, barmitzvahed and confirmed, but I dropped out of temple life when I reached late teen years due to drugs, partying and what I see now as a spiritual slide, if I ever had any spiritiuality to begin with. I spent about four years bouncing from rock to rock and searching for truth in occultism, eastern mysticism, nihlism, solopsism. basically everything thats out there I looked at and read. I found a book that changed my life, but now doesnt seem adequate anymore for some reason anymore. The Urantia Book.

Its been accused of being everything under sun, that it was a Mind control project by powerful men that went on to create the Bilderburg group and Council on foreign relations to a direct communication from the devil to mankind. I can see how it is the profecy of the false Jesus the one about end times from the bible fundamentalist viewpoint. It fits all the categories.

Ive been going through a metaphyscial crisis for about 7 months now mostly due to the fact that I started reading about where it came from, or more specifically the people that were involved in its production. The Kellogs and sadlers in chicago were seventh-day adventists. They have also been accused of being false religion.

Im just so confused by it all. All these christian sects fighting with each other. Everyone competing to be a better Christian. I want to find God; its the foremost thought in my mind. It doesn’t help I suppose that I surround myself with atheists. I just want God to come in front of me and tell me this is what I should do.

I really wish sometimes to the point of tears that I was there 2000 years ago and could see into his eyes. I think my heart would explode.

Coming from a scientificly minded family, of doctors, biologists and lawyers, I feel smothered in the logic of darwinian evolution. But I really want to believe that the Earth is only 6000 years old. It would all make sense. I feel sometimes that theres a blindfold over my eyes and that I’m sctatching in the dark to rip it off my head.

i want to believe in a loving God that could never be wrathful beacause his love is all encompassing. But I’m afraid of what if I’m wrong. What if God is malevolent and punishing.

I feel that I should go hardcore bible fundamentalist just to cover my bases but I know thats the wrong way to approach the matter. I feel wrong to feel this way. I feel like this world is absurd, like its all some big melodrama and at any moment the lights will come on and I’ll look around and disolve into a million pieces.

From your point of view, as a bible fundamentalist, where does someone like me go to for answers. I feel like I’m on a trip, so close but I dont have that last piece of direction to get to where I need to go.

Sincerely, David
Timm, on July 26th, 2009 at 11:10 pm Said:

Hi David Lille,
The Bible, which I believe to be inspired by God, says ‘For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.’ (Jeremiah 29:11-13)
Additionally, it says: ‘From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. 27God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.’ (Acts 17:26-27)
If these verses intrigue you, and you want to learn how to have a relationship with God, then email me at mrrocket@mac.com. Regards,
Timm
barefootinthepark, on August 1st, 2009 at 1:00 pm Said:

Hi David! First I want to praise the Lord that you are concerned about your spiritual condition. That’s the evidence of God’s grace and mercy in your life.

I don’t know anything about the Urantia book that you mentioned, but it seems that you are well on your way to discovering whatever deceptions it may contain.

I want to start with some of the ideas you have formulated about God that you mentioned in your post. You mentioned two possible Gods, one that is “loving” and “could never be wrathful because his love is all encompassing”, or a god that is “malevolent and punishing.” Neither of these is the God of the Bible. I want to explain to you to the best of my ability who the God of the Bible is.

First I want to stress that a god that is supposedly all loving and is never angry is not a loving god at all. That is an “indifferent” god. A god that frankly doesn’t care about what happens. He doesn’t care what anyone does, whether it’s right or wrong. In fact, that god is unjust. He is unrighteous. He has no character. That god is like an old man who just wants to give everyone a hug, but he’s losing his mind and doesn’t have a clue about what’s going on around him. That is not the God the Bible.

Nor is God malevolent. Malevolent implies ill will and an intent to do evil. Although God does punish, as I will talk about in a minute, he doesn’t do so out of evil intentions.

The God of the Bible, the God and creator of this world, does have character. He is holy (perfect and pure). He is righteous. He is just. He is the not an indifferent god that turns a blind eye to all the filthiness of this present world. And yet God is love. God’s love is a perfect love. How can God be perfectly loving and yet just at the same time? That is the beauty of the Gospel that I want to share with you.

Once sin entered the world through Adam, this world has been going downhill ever since. The Bible is clear that there is no one that is righteous. Not one. Humans are fallen, sinful creatures. We have rebelled against God. We don’t love him. We break his laws. We’re dishonest. We take things that don’t belong to us. And if we don’t take those things, we covet them or lust after them. We’re selfish. We’re prideful. I could go on. God, being holy and righteous, and hence unable to turn a blind eye to all of this, has said in His Word that the punishment for sin is death. He cannot have sin in his presence. It is impossible for a Holy, righteous and just God to have sin in his presence. God would be in his perfect right to destroy all of us. Now. Today.

And yet, God is love. In spite of our rebellion against Him and our hatred toward Him, He chooses to rescue sinners. And not only to rescue them, but to bestow on them glory and eternal life and all the rights of children in his family. How can He do this? He took care of the sin problem. God himself took care of it. Jesus, the son of God, came into this world for a short time as a man. He lived a perfect, sinless, righteous life–something not one human being in this world has accomplished. Not only that, but Jesus of his own will, laid down his life and paid the penalty for rebellious hate-filled sinners. The Bible says in Isaiah that it “pleased” God to crush his son so that he would bear the weight of our sins. Here is Isaiah 53. I know it is long, but I want to put it here so you can read it in its entirety and not go hunting for it:

1Who has believed our message?
And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
2For He grew up before Him like a tender shoot,
And like a root out of parched ground;
He has no stately form or majesty
That we should look upon Him,
Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him.
3He was despised and forsaken of men,
A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief;
And like one from whom men hide their face
He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.
4Surely our griefs He Himself bore,
And our sorrows He carried;
Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken,
Smitten of God, and afflicted.
5But He was pierced through for our transgressions,
He was crushed for our iniquities;
The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him,
And by His scourging we are healed.
6All of us like sheep have gone astray,
Each of us has turned to his own way;
But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all
To fall on Him.
7He was oppressed and He was afflicted,
Yet He did not open His mouth;
Like a lamb that is led to slaughter,
And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers,
So He did not open His mouth.
8By oppression and judgment He was taken away;
And as for His generation, who considered
That He was cut off out of the land of the living
For the transgression of my people, to whom the stroke was due?
9His grave was assigned with wicked men,
Yet He was with a rich man in His death,
Because He had done no violence,
Nor was there any deceit in His mouth.
10But the LORD was pleased
To crush Him, putting Him to grief;
If He would render Himself as a guilt offering,
He will see His offspring,
He will prolong His days,
And the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand.
11As a result of the anguish of His soul,
He will see it and be satisfied;
By His knowledge the Righteous One,
My Servant, will justify the many,
As He will bear their iniquities.
12Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great,
And He will divide the booty with the strong;
Because He poured out Himself to death,
And was numbered with the transgressors;
Yet He Himself bore the sin of many,
And interceded for the transgressors.

When I read Isaiah 53, I think “why would God do such a thing?” Why would he willingly go through all of that?! For me? For anybody? In Romans 5:6-8 it says “For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” That, my friend, is the love of God. It’s not a love that turns its eye away from sin. Because of God’s love for sinners, he sacrificed his own, perfect Son to rescue the ungodly. And God the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, did it “willingly”! And how do we know that God was satisfied with the sacrifice of Jesus Christ? Jesus was raised from the dead! He conquered death! If it weren’t for the resurrection of Jesus, we would still be dead in our sins. This is the grace of God. We couldn’t have been reconciled to God on our own because no one can keep his holy law. Salvation is all of God and is all of His grace!

So now what? What does this mean for you and me? Does it mean that God now accepts every sinner in the world because of what Jesus did? No, it does not. The Bible is clear that only those who confess Jesus as Lord and believe in their heart that God raised Him from the dead will be saved. Confessing Jesus “as Lord” means bowing to his authority. And if we are to submit to His authority, then we have to reject or turn away from or repent of what we were following–our own sinful ways. We are new creatures in Christ! We are reconciled to God! This is how God can be holy, righteous, just AND loving at the same time! Our sin was placed on Jesus on the cross. He paid the penalty for it. And now, Jesus’ righteousness is placed on us. When God looks at His children, he sees not our righteousness, because we don’t have any. He sees the righteousness of his perfect Son and God is pleased!

So, what about those who continue to reject God and reject the sacrifice made by the Lord Jesus Christ? What about those who think that they are “good enough” and God will just let them squeeze into a blissful eternity? Or what about those who simply don’t care…who are indifferent? Because God is just, they will pay the penalty for their sin in an eternity full of torment separated from God.

There is so much more I could say. I love speaking about the Gospel and the love of God. And I will try to answer any questions that you may have. I know you have other questions about so called sects of Christianity, and those are valid questions. But at this point, I just wanted to proclaim the God of Bible and His wondrous love to you. As I started this post, I praised the Lord that He has given you an interest in spiritual things. In Hebrews 4:7 (quoting from Psalm 95), it says “TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS.” I pray that today you will not harden your heart and you will be one of those praising and bringing glory to God that he has redeemed you!

For His Glory,
Amy
galatiansc4v16, on August 1st, 2009 at 3:06 pm Said:

Beautiful Amy!

tr
Joel, on August 4th, 2009 at 12:10 pm Said:

Romans 10:9-10

That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (10) For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

You guys could have taken this opportunity to actually HELP people instead of confuse them with arguing semantics.

It’s sad to see that when searching “asking Jesus into your heart” the first thing that pops up is this article. Don’t block people from taking their first steps to the freedom of having Jesus Lord in their life, just because you disagree with a term that got them to this point.

And then to start on about how Christians are prone to backslide because of the way they “asked Jesus into their heart”? Do you really think that is going to help someone who is just wanting some answers? You’re throwing the baby out with the bath water.

Just let the main thing be the main thing. We are supposed to disciple people once they are saved; so only the individual’s lack of commitment or sometimes the body of Christ not doing it’s job in raising the person into spiritual maturity is to blame for backsliders.

Mat. 23:23-24
This sounds like straining out a gnat but swallowing a camel. You’re focusing a lot of energy on a very small detail which takes you away from doing what you should be doing: comforting, edifying, and exhorting the body of Christ so that we have fewer backsliders (1 Thes. 2:11-12).

- Joel
galatiansc4v16, on August 7th, 2009 at 8:24 am Said:

Joel,

The Romans verse you used makes your point, it doesn’t not refute it. They are great biblical verses, but they do not teach that the way of salvation is to “Ask Jesus into your heart,” nor do they explain what that means.

Explaining to people what the Bible does say regarding how to be saved, is indeed, taking the opportunity to help them. The difference between “repentance and faith” and “asking Jesus into one’s heart” is not “semantics” at all.

If one is searching Google for “Asking Jesus into your heart” it means they are probably confused by this contemporary and “churchy” language and want to actually know what it means – precisely my point! I am glad this page is easily found with such an internet search in order that their seeking may result in correct answers rather than fluffy feel-good-isms that make people think they are saved when they have no clue what the Bible actually teaches on the matter.

It saddens me that you would support a confusing language and knowingly leave someone in the dark on such an important matter, rather than using Biblical clarity to help them understand salvation.

Joel, sure we are to disciple and we do that as well. However, one can’t become a disciple if they aren’t a true convert. Skipping over the importance of a proper understanding of salvation and rushing to “discipling” is what is tossing out the baby with the bath water. Without regeneration and the Spirit of God in a person, no amount of “discipline” can clean up sin. And teaching someone to “ask Jesus into their heart” and then telling them to behave right, will only create self-righteous pagans trying to please God without the Spirit of God.

The main thing Joel, is the gospel. Keeping it the main thing includes making it clear to people what it means.

In closing, your proof-text of gnat straining to indicate that Jesus wasn’t concerned over accurate doctrine is misapplied. Jesus was upset with those religious leaders of the day who taught error and led people astray through their false ideas of religion and teaching works righteousness religion. The verse actually teaches the opposite of how you used it, in that the proper doctrine of salvation leads to Biblical repentance and Biblical salvation. Contemporary ideas that confuse that point is exactly what Jesus was refuting.

tr
Ivan, on September 9th, 2009 at 10:49 am Said:

10 reasons to ask Jesus in your heart
1.It means a cleansed, repentant heart
2.It means a heart touched by God
3.It means a heart that is open, honest
4.It means a changed heart
5.It means a humbled/broken heart
6.It means a heart filled with God’s Spirit
7. It means a new heart
8. It means a heart that calls – Abba Father
9. It means a heart calling on God
10.It means a heart that you-everyone should really desire to have-God’s heart!
galatiansc4v16, on September 9th, 2009 at 10:54 am Said:

Ivan,

These are perhaps *your* understanding of this phrase. The Bible however gives no indication that this contemporary phrase means any of these. Thus the purpose of this post.

These things are indeed good and correct and Biblical. But they are concepts that should be “explained” to folks rather than wrapping the meanings into a phrase that doesn’t explain it, and leaves the person unclear as to what their actions entail.

tr
Greg, on October 21st, 2009 at 12:26 pm Said:

So what about Ephesians 3:14-17 that says ” For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,

15from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name,

16that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,

17so that Christ may dwell IN YOUR HEARTS through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love.

It clearly says that Christ dwells in our hearts, yet it is through faith. You are getting all worked up over a simple phrase “Ask Jesus into your heart” when it clearly states here that that is where He dwells. Instead of worrying about what phrase is said when accepting Christ you should be excited that others are being saved from an eternity in hell. God is the only one that can judge the heart and you saying that people do not have a real conversion when they accept Jesus into their heart means that you think you can judge if a person was sincere in their accepting Him. The simple fact is that it doesn’t matter what words are said, it only matters that a person identifies that they are a sinner, ask forgiveness of their sins and accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of their life.
galatiansc4v16, on October 31st, 2009 at 9:48 pm Said:

Greg,

I certainly am excited with people receive Christ, and I am not getting “worked up” over a simple phrase.

To explain, first understand, although the Bible does indicate that Christ “dwells in our heart,” the verse you demonstrate this with indicates that this is something that occurs after salvation. It does not indicate that this is a way to salvation is to “invite or ask Him” into our hearts.

The Bible is clear that the way to salvation is by the repentance of sin, and trusting Christ’s sacrifice on the cross as their payment for their sins; rather than their own “goodness.”

For someone to proper understand this, they must understand sin, repentance, and what trusting Christ means. If we explain these concepts in evangelism where the sinner can understand Biblically what is happening, then this is fine.

However, if we only say, “Ask Jesus into your heart,” which is unbiblical and unclear language, and do not explain what that means Biblically, we leave the sinner to make up for themselves what this phrase means. It is unlikely that this phrase will lead someone to a proper understanding of the gospel.

Why not remove the contemporary and confusing language and use the Biblical language and explanation instead? Why do you defend having to use the unclear cultural language? If we truly want to see sinners saved, why not use clear Biblical language to explain the gospel clearly?

tr
galatiansc4v16, on October 31st, 2009 at 10:37 pm Said:

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