For months, I have been fervently praying about a phrase, which is used by preachers, evangelists, teachers, and parents around the world:
"Ask Jesus into your heart"
A friend of mine, who is an associate pastor, abhors the phrase, stating that it is unbiblical. This morning, I decided to Google the phrase. Out of 12,300 returned results, the first two or three pages were composed of titles and headlines confirming my friend's beliefs. In fact, one headline read: "Ten Reasons to NOT Ask Jesus Into Your Heart", written by Todd Friel. <<LINK>>
After reading the article, I have to admit - he makes some valid points. I understand that repentance is a requirement for salvation. However, I feel that his view of salvation is all law and no grace. He states in his article that "anyone who asked Jesus into their hearts to be saved... is not." I have some serious issues with that statement. Although Christians are called to hold their Bothers and Sisters accountable based on the fruit they bear, but we must be careful not to be judgmental - which is exactly how I interpreted Friel's article.
I, too, fear that many who make professions of faith in Christ are insincere because of their lack of born fruit and repentance, but I am no one to judge whether or not they are saved. After huge altar calls, thousands may flock to the pulpit, claiming that they are saved. Months later, maybe 50 or less are in church, serving God and showing true signs or salvation. Although a staggering statistic, one is just as important as 1,000.
Recently, my best friend's daughter (then, seven years old) made a profession of faith and was baptized. When I asked her about her decision, she told me, "I asked Jesus into my heart to save me and forgive my sins." She went on to tell me, "I will have to stop doing things that are wrong, because they make God sad." In SevenYearOld-ese, that spells out repentance in a nutshell.
So... you mean to tell me that even though she made a profession of faith, standing before God and man with her little hands trembling in fear, and followed up in Believer's Baptism, that Madison is not saved and is damned to Hell? I'm appalled and offended at such a thought! In Luke 18:16-17 Jesus says, "Let the little children come to me... because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."
Instead of telling children that they are wrong by "accepting Jesus into their hearts"... why don't we sit back and learn from them?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
Bobby, I agree with you completely. I believe that children understand best what is happening by "asking Jesus into their heart." These children understand that they are sinners and that they have to confess their sins and ask for forgiveness. They understand that. "Asking Jesus into your heart" is the way children know that they are forgiven for their sins and now where ever they go and whatever they do, they are not alone. I believe children understand it better than we do sometimes.
By the way, that was Araina.
Bobby, Rev.3:20 says "Behold I stand at the door and knock,if anyone heards my voice and opens the door, I will come IN TO him and dine with him and he with Me."
Also John 14:17 "even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot recieve, because it neither sees Him nor Knows Him, but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be IN YOU."
i agree to an extent but just because a seven year old understands doesn't mean a seventy year old will we still need to stress repentance you cant just assume that anyone who hears the words ask jesus in to your heart will know you still have to repent repentance comes from hearing the word and is a result from a conviction and awakining of god almighty you cant just sit thier and ask jesus to come in it just wont happen
Anonymous,
Repentance is a process - it's not something that happens all at once or overnight. Scripture tells us to take up the Cross DAILY... It's a continuous process! Once you have come to the point of complete surrender, The Holy Spirit will place in you a spirit of repentance, and you will no longer desire the things of the flesh, thus leading to repentance from sins. You say "you can't just sit there and ask Jesus to come in"... Revelation 3:20 says, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me." Anonymous, Christ desires to have a personal relationship with EVERYONE, but we must first completely surrender all. After that comes the lifelong process of repentance and growing in faith.
Bobby-
I agree with 110%
I asked Jesus into my heart at age 11 and since my life has never been the same.Thank God!We need to take a poll to see how many people were saved under those same words.
Thank you for standing up for what you believe!
Post a Comment