Comments on: “Ten reasons NOT to ask Jesus into your heart” by Todd Friel.

By: Jennifer Snell

Jennifer Snell — Sat, 19 May 2012 21:26:49 +0000

In either 1997 or 1998, I said the “Sinner’s Prayer” and asked Jesus into my heart. For the next 10 years, I lived my life as I wanted. I was most definitely NOT saved. In 2008, I found myself hunched over, crying out to the Lord in remorse and sorrow. THAT’S when I became a Christian. To this day, I discourage people from saying the Sinner’s Prayer or asking Jesus into their hearts; I know first-hand that it may not mean a thing.

By: Manfred

Manfred — Thu, 17 May 2012 23:51:30 +0000

Kayla,

That verse you quoted at the end, 1 Tim 2:4, must be taken in context and in light of the balance of relevant Scripture in order to be properly understood. If God truly wanted ALL men to be saved, a) He has failed miserably throughout history and b) all would be saved. Neither of these statements is true. So what is the true meaning? Here is a Calvinist look at that verse: http://www.mslick.com/allmen.htm

May the sovereign God and savior of the elect be your refuge in all things.

By: Kayla

Kayla — Thu, 17 May 2012 23:14:48 +0000

what is your take on baptism in relationship to all of this?

————————————-

Sorry, as I’m reading more I see it is being discussed. I do know that it is possible for everyone to understand the gospel and salvation. Why wold God make it too complicated to where we must have others interpret for us? We humans try to complicate things so much! Just read the Bible, in context, and have an open heart to what God is telling you through the Word. Let God speak for Himself, without considering any opinion you or others may have. I pray that all of you have an open heart and study diligently. God wants all of us to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth, right?

By: unworthy1

unworthy1 — Mon, 14 May 2012 20:01:28 +0000

The problem is those who do this, who ask Jesus into their heart, then trust in something they’ve done for salvation. One commenter said ‘So if you say it and mean it and truly repent and trust in HIm, you are saved. ‘ This is so dangerous because man is depraved, dead in sin and unable to perk up and respond to the Gospel apart from God’s grace. No matter how sincere you were when you invited Jesus in, that will not save you, it is the regenerating power of a God who is mighty that opens the understanding and breaks the sinner, the Holy Spirit leads the sinner to repentance {which is part of His ministry in salvation}. We simply cannot give people a ‘formula’ to follow or a method to adhere to because the power of the saving of a soul is in the preaching of the Gospel {Romans 1:16}; the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, who bore sin on the cross. When we tack on a procedure/method at the end of our Gospel presentation, we prove we are not trusting in the power of God’s word. We want results and this method brings them, unfortunately this method produces false converts and America is filled with tons of false converts as a result of this method. This method also makes null and void God’s grace, which is what saves sinners {Eph. 2:8-9}. We are not called to be successful in converting sinners, we have no power to save. We are called to be faithful and to proclaim God’s truth; He will save or leave the sinner in their sin, according to His will.

By: Bill

Bill — Mon, 14 May 2012 15:51:45 +0000

Hello Jim,

I think the guy in your video doesn’t understand the argument any better than most of the people who have commented here. There is no doubt that the Bible says that Jesus dwells in the hearts of believers. The question is, “How does He get there?” The guy in the video never once cited a verse that says He gets there by accepting Him or by asking Him into our hearts. This article is a call to leave behind sloppy language like “asking Jesus into our hearts.”

Thanks,
Bill

By: Jim Barnwell

Jim Barnwell — Mon, 14 May 2012 00:48:12 +0000

Here’s another point of view. http://youtu.be/mQBduikVS5E

By: unworthy1

unworthy1 — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 21:27:27 +0000

There is only one reason not to ask Jesus into your heart, it isn’t found in the bible.

Repenting and trusting in Christ does not mean you have asked him into your heart, it means you have asked Him for mercy and forgiveness of your wickedness against him. Praying a prayer does not constitute salvation, only the regenerating power of God and His grace saves sinners.

By: Matthew

Matthew — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 05:05:28 +0000

But repenting and trusting is part of the “asking Jesus into your heart prayer” aka getting saved. So if you say it and mean it and truly repent and trust in HIm, you are saved. It seems like it might be a case of wording to me. When Jesus calls you, and you answer with repentance and trust in Christ, call it what you will, you are saved.

By: todd3588

todd3588 — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 14:24:38 +0000

And I would add to andrew and Manfred’s above (2) posts…….that faith PRODUCES repentance and the “trust” in salvation……….and faith is as a result of regeneration. Whew…..wrapped around the axle on words, I know.

Todd
Texas

By: Manfred

Manfred — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 12:01:02 +0000

Andrew – Correct! Salvation is by grace alone by faith alone in Christ alone. This salvation will evidence itself by repentance and faith and love for the Word and people of God and hatred for sin and evil.

By: andrew

andrew — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 10:33:57 +0000

Repentance and trust will not save either. Salvation is by faith alone.

By: Bill

Bill — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 15:45:45 +0000

Hi Jordan,

You clearly didn’t read the post. Salvation isn’t gained by asking Jesus in your heart. God saves us, and we are commanded to repent and put our faith in Christ. Nowhere does the Bible talk about asking Him into our heart.

Thanks,
Bill

By: Jordan

Jordan — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 01:26:29 +0000

Guess what some day when Jesus comes back you guys will regret saying all the things you guys said Jesus is real and if you don’t ask him now when he comes back there will be the great white thron e of judgement in heave and you will be judged on all the bad things you did and after that you will go to the ” lake of fire” or hell and the bible says you will be thirsty for eternity and what that awful person is telling you is a big fat lie. And if you don’t believe me fine believe that awful lieing person says fine fine go to hell or read the bible say the prayer an ask jesus in to your heart and to answer Rachel’s question yes many people did get saved in the BIBLE.

By: Coy

Coy — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 20:20:22 +0000

In the asking Jesus into your heart you have to look into several scriptures that covey that message. John 1:12 as many as “received” Him, to them gave He the right to become the children of God.

Romans 10:9,10 …if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your “heart” that God has raised Him from the dead you “shall” be saved.

So we can wrangle uselessly over words but the reality is that those who ask Him into their hearts are in effect saying they are repenting of their sins and receiving (accepting) Jesus Christ as their Lord.

One other main factor is the wind that blows where it wills…being born again. Regenerated by the Word of Truth.

God does the saving as we believe on the report- The Gospel-the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes. And I agree with Todd in this- that if you are truly born again/believe, the result will be works and no backsliding other than seasons of greater faith and joy and times when sins battle wears a person down. The ebb and flow of living in the world while not being of it.

Lots to think through, and fortunately we have His Spirit to make sense of His Word, no simple dogmas.

By: Hillbilly

Hillbilly — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 10:10:38 +0000

I believe the frase “Ask Jesus into your heart” come from a real desire to feel like we making a real commitment. We have all heard “That little boy has my heart” which is interpreted to mean we Love them very much. This I believe is why ppl say it…If you ask Jesus into your heart then you must really Love Him. Sometime the Bible can be a little confusing….Like….”Whosoever believes in Him (Jesus) shall not parish but have everlasting life” If this verse is taken out of context it wont say anything about Repentance….For this reason scripture should really not be taken out of context very often. Some verses can stand alone but most cant without varying interpretation. Just this mans veiw……

By: Minenhle

Minenhle — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 13:17:18 +0000

That is so true, when they told me that the gospel that is preached in our churches is false because our churches are no longer led by the holy spirit i was offended, but God recently revealed to me how serious the gospel is. What i just read is a conformation of what the Lord has been revealing in my life.

By: DavidW

DavidW — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:48:51 +0000

Rachel:

I do not fault the intent of anyone asking Jesus to come into their heart. It reflects they want Jesus. But here’s the issue: What does the Bible say? Do we see anyone asking Jesus to come into their heart in Scripture, either while Jesus walked the earth, or in Acts? Or is it taught in the epistles?

A lot rides on the issues of faith and repentance. When we truly believe the Gospel , we repent (turn around FROM following/obeying/submitting to the fallen human nature has been our normal behavior, and turn TO submission to God’s Word of truth). God the Holy Spirit is sent from the Father, by Jesus, to dwell within us. We don’t need to ask Him to. It’s part of the process that He performs. He makes us new creatures, we are given a new nature, and are grafted onto The Vine, through which we draw our very life, He adopts us as His children.

The thief on the cross displayed: 1) Belief in the basic truths of the Gospel (Who Jesus is, that he (the thief) was deserving of death, that he trusted in Jesus’ power to forgive him), and 2) He asked for the Lord’s mercy upon him. He may not have verbalized a studied and formalized version of the Gospel, but he displayed true repentance and belief. Notice he never said anything like: “Jesus, I invite you into my heart”.

Thus the problem with “asking Jesus to come into my heart” by-passes that whole process. God cannot dwell in a being who is separated from Him because of sin. Do you see the difference?

By: lyn

lyn — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:45:01 +0000

To tell someone to ask Jesus into your heart is not found in the Bible Rachel. Ephesians 2:8-9 specifically states how a sinner is saved, by grace. Salvation is God’s gift given to whom He chooses, not because we choose Him. The doctrines of grace are essential to study, understand, and get back to if we want to see God move and sinners saved. To insist we have any part in being saved is to rob God of glory and make grace null and void. You have read into God’s word what simply isn’t there. I encourage you to ponder Ephesians chapter two.

If you want to know about the doctrines of grace, I suggest you read Dr. James Boice’s book entitled ‘Whatever Happened to the Gospel of Grace, Rediscovering the Doctrines that Shook the World’.

Lyn

By: Bill

Bill — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 03:55:30 +0000

Hi Rachel,

It seems like you didn’t read the original post.

By: Rachel Kuriger

Rachel Kuriger — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:21:10 +0000

I am posting this comment to defend Jesus and the protestant christian belief.
It does hint that you should ask Jesus into your heart as your Lord and Savior.
Luke 23:38-43: There was a written notice hung above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. One of the criminals that hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “Since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what are deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom.” (as if asking him) Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Why would you say don’t ask Jesus into your heart, if you don’t you will go to Hell.

By: Craig

Craig — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 01:08:58 +0000

… your reply is what the popular media do all the time… take one “soundbite” or one “phrase” and totally skew what I wrote or ignore a large part of it but that is OK, frustrating but OK…
1. when someone puts their hand up to ask Jesus to come in their heart – that is person is not a “convert” or “disciple” – they have made one decision for Jesus – a disciple makes a decision for Christ everyday – I get that … You get that…
2. In summary my point was this…
A) The bible already warns of a high attrition rate (Parable of the Sower)…
B) The Church needs to understand when it comes to “making disciples” when someone “asks Jesus into their heart” they are more than likely saying “i want to get to know more about Jesus coz I really don’t have a clue” (Note – “the prayer” as the article seems to dismiss has power whether they fully get it or not because “the tongue has power of life and death, those who love it eats is fruit”
C) Because that 1st decision is more likely them saying “i want to get to know more about Jesus coz I really don’t have a clue”, the Church should have in place a way of catching up with that person to discuss their decision and figure out what their relationship status with Jesus really is…
D) Don’t write an article bagging out the Church and their leaders – write an article that helps the Church understand why these people aren’t sticking

By: fleebabylon

fleebabylon — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 21:33:51 +0000

“but please don’t write articles that encourage people not to make a decision to get to know Jesus better….”

This is not about keeping people from “knowing Jesus better”. It is about lying to them, telling them they have come into a relationshipo with Christ when they are still dead in their sin and the wrath of God abides upon them. While it might make us happy that we are “making disciples” all we are doing is filling pews and hell with false converts.

-Jim

By: Craig

Craig — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 05:56:13 +0000

It seems that the impetus/reason for this article “Ten reasons NOT to ask Jesus into your heart” by Todd Friel.” is the high level of attrition of people from church after hearing the Gospel… however, if you use the numbers that Jesus used in the parable of the sower… then a 75% attrition rate is expected. That is to say out of the 4 that heard the word only 1 fully received and stuck around as a believer (good soil)… OK so I understand where the author is coming from – but seriously the article is mostly critical with a bit of explanation… The real issue is that the Church needs to understand that the first moment out the front is the first step in discipleship – Jesus said make disciples – a more helpful article would be one that outlines ways to move from the first step in discipleship… for example – ask for their phone number and take them out for a beverage and explain the Gospel to them – where there is time and room for questions and full explanations… but please don’t write articles that encourage people not to make a decision to get to know Jesus better….

By: Erin

Erin — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 22:55:49 +0000

I have been restricted and can not relpy. Sorry

By: abidingthroughgrace

abidingthroughgrace — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 21:36:00 +0000

Hello, friends. I am trying to follow this discussion and I think I have narrowed it down to this quote from Erin:

“Baptism represents following Christ to the grave and we come up renewed (risen to a new life) then we receive a gift (sorta like a welcome home gift) the Holy Spirit.The Holy Spirit is the identifying mark that makes one a christian and the only way to get that mark is through baptism. So yes, essentially baptism does save us. 1 Peter 3:21.”

Erin, are you truly saying that the believer is given the Holy Spirit at baptism and baptism saves us?

Sincerely,
-atg

By: Erin

Erin — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 21:09:48 +0000

No, I dont belong to a denomination or religious establishment. God is not religion. Religion is a man made institution.

By: fleebabylon

fleebabylon — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 20:27:18 +0000

Erin said:

“So your a calvinist”

Only speaking for myself, I am not a “calvinist”.

Do you belong to a denomination?

-Jim

By: lyn

lyn — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 17:50:14 +0000

Erin,
I would ask that you review http://defendingcontending.com/rules-of-engagement/

You are on the threshold of breaking rule # 2, 3, and 4 at this time. As a former contributor to this blog, I feel it may be necessary to bring your comments to the attention of those who maintain this blog.

thank you
Lyn

By: Erin

Erin — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 16:48:30 +0000

No cutting ang pasting here Wayne. Does your cult have a name that you all follow?

By: Erin

Erin — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 06:47:35 +0000

So your a calvinist