Ask Jesus Into Your Heart? What Verse Is That?

So many people today believe they are Christians because at some point they "asked Jesus into their heart". In addition, many of these same people try to lead others to Christ by giving a testimony and encouraging them to "ask Jesus into your heart".

Isn't this the way people are supposed to come to salvation, by asking Jesus into their heart?

No, it is not. To prove it to yourself, try to find a Bible verse to support it. You cannot. The fact is, asking Jesus into your heart is a man-centered gospel message.

I have asked several people who believe in this approach to salvation, "Where in the Bible do you find support for telling someone to 'ask Jesus into your heart'?" The responses are typically: Romans 10:9-10 and Acts 8:37.

Let's consider each of these verses, beginning with Acts 8:37, which reads (NASB):

"And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”

This occurs during a conversation between Philip and an Ethiopian eunuch. The conversation follows the command from an angel of the Lord for Philip to go over and speak to the Ethiopian.

During this conversation, Philip explains how Jesus was the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies, and clearly shares the gospel. In addition, from the context we can confidently infer that Philip explained baptism as an act of obedience to demonstrate your re-birth as a Christian. (Acts 8:25-40). It is at this point that Philip says, "if you believe with all your heart, you may." Philip is talking about Baptism, which should only follow true repentance and faith. Philip understood this, and it is clear from the context that the Ethiopian understood this as well. It is also clear that 'asking Jesus into his heart' is not what happened here.

In addition, the Greek word that is translated "believe" is pisteuo, which means to commit one's trust to, or to place your confidence in. It is clear that a belief such as this is not the type of hope that is associated with crossing one's fingers, or hoping that just maybe something might be true. This is a belief that is certain. This is a belief that allows you to take confident steps in an uncertain and ever-changing world.

What about Romans 10:9-10, which says:

"that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation."

Frequently, those who claim that "asking Jesus into your heart" is all that is required, skip right past the opening phrase, "if you confess with your mouth."

Confess what? Read on as the passage explains that you must confess "that Jesus is Lord."

Salvation is not about you asking Jesus into your heart, it is about confessing that Jesus is Lord. As Lord, He decides if He will provide salvation, not you. How does He make this decision? According to his own words, only if you "Repent, and believe the gospel." (Mark 1:15)

Repentance means that you agree with God that His standard is the right standard, that you have fallen short of His standard through the many sins you have committed, and you are ready to give up control of your life to Him. You are saying, 'Not my will, Lord, but yours. Not my way, Lord, but yours.' Turn from your life of seeking to fulfill the pleasures of the flesh, and begin to obey Christ as Lord of your life.

Once you confess in this way by crying out to God for mercy, you have demonstrated that you believe in your heart (that is, you place your confidence in God). Only then will Jesus save you from the wrath you deserve.

Jesus is not a product that can be taken off the shelf at your whim, consumed to make you feel better, and then put into the pantry until you need Him again. You are a sinner. Your lying, theft, lust, hatred, disobedience, dishonoring God, coveting others' possessions, and more have condemned you. You are not in control. You deserve to be cast out. Christ will save you only if you repent, and believe the gospel.

Christ endured horrific pain in the flesh, and (more importantly) the pouring out of God's wrath so that you and I could be forgiven. The fact that some people think salvation is a matter of placing a courtesy call to the Lord God makes me shudder in fear for their false confidence.. (Matt 7:21-23)