What does it mean to “ask Jesus into your heart”? from Compelling Truth
Many have taught that a person must “ask Jesus into your heart” to be saved. Is this true?
Actually, the Bible does not use the wording of asking Jesus into your heart. The closest passage is found in Revelation 3:20 where we read, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” The problem with using this passage to teach that a person must ask Jesus into his or her heart to be saved is that the original context of this verse discusses a group of people who are already Christians. These Christians at the church of Laodicea were told to leave their lukewarm approach to Jesus and to walk closely with Him.
Certainly those who teach you are to ask Jesus into your heart mean well. What is generally meant by this phrase is that a person needs to experience salvation in Jesus Christ. How does this take place? The Bible teaches that salvation involves believing that Jesus is Lord who rose from the dead (Romans 10:9). We are to believe in Jesus as God’s only Son to receive eternal life (John 3:16).
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We love helping others and believe that’s one of the reasons we are chosen as Ambassadors of the Kingdom, to serve God’s children. We look to the Greatest Commandment as our Powering force.
This salvation is by grace through faith, not of works so no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). As John 1:12 teaches, “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” We become His children by faith.
Believing in Jesus is a simple message, yet is difficult due to our human sinfulness. The Bible teaches all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory (Roman 3:23). We deserve death, yet salvation in Christ gives us eternal life (Roman 6:23). This great gift is one all need to hear, need to receive, and need to share (Matthew 28:18-20).
