Is it biblical to ask Jesus into your heart?
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That's true, yet at the same time, I believe this is derived from:
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock... If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in..."
What door? Door to where? Where does Jesus want to enter and have communion at? In the heart. The Biblical meaning of "heart" is not a biological organ, nor is it a sentimental notion, but it means the inner man, or spirit of man. It might be a less conventional way to word things, but I don't think it's unbiblical.
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock... If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in..."
What door? Door to where? Where does Jesus want to enter and have communion at? In the heart. The Biblical meaning of "heart" is not a biological organ, nor is it a sentimental notion, but it means the inner man, or spirit of man. It might be a less conventional way to word things, but I don't think it's unbiblical.
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Answer: “Do you want to be saved? Then just ask Jesus to come into your heart.” While this statement is not anti-biblical, neither is it expressly biblical. The wording generates a mental image that can easily lead to wrong impressions, especially among children, who tend to take things literally. Plus, the exhortation to “ask Jesus into your heart”—if that’s the whole message—leaves out some important things such as repentance and faith. The Bible does mention the fact that, in some sense, Jesus resides in our hearts: Paul prayed “that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith” (Ephesians 3:17). But Paul is writing to believers who had already received Christ. The parallel prayer in verse 16 is that God “may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being.” There is no evangelistic appeal in the context of Ephesians 3. Paul is not telling the Ephesians to “ask Jesus into their hearts”; he is simply elevating their awareness that Jesus is present within them through the Holy Spirit.
The verse from which the “ask Jesus into your heart” concept is usually taken is Revelation 3:20, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” Notice, however, that the verse does not mention the heart at all. Neither does the individual ask Jesus to do anything; rather, Jesus asks us to do something. In context, Jesus is speaking to the church of Laodicea, who was in desperate need of repentance (verse 19). The Laodiceans had effectively excluded Jesus from their fellowship, and the Lord was seeking to restore that fellowship. The passage does not deal with a person calling on the Lord for salvation.
The idea of Jesus “coming into your heart” is nowhere used in any preaching in the Bible. The gospel is the good news of Jesus’ death and resurrection for the forgiveness of our sin (1 Corinthians 15:3–4). Gospel presentations in the Bible exhort a proper response to that message: believe (John 3:16; Acts 16:31), receive (John 1:12), and repent (Acts 3:19). We are to change our minds about our sin and about who Christ is, believe Jesus died and rose again, and receive the gift of eternal life by faith. None of the apostles ever told someone to “ask Jesus into your heart.”
Often, the exhortation to “ask Jesus to come into your heart” is used as a simple way to say, “Ask Jesus to enter your life” or “Allow the Lord to take control.” If this is done in the context of presenting the whole gospel, then there’s no harm done. But before a person is invited to “ask Jesus into your heart,” he or she should understand sin and its penalty, the payment Christ made on the cross, and the reality of Christ’s resurrection. In fact, referring to salvation as Jesus’ “coming into your heart” might even help a person understand that the Spirit of Christ comes to indwell the soul (see John 14:17). Still, it is always best to use the terminology the Bible uses. “Ask Jesus into your heart” does not fully communicate what is actually occurring at salvation.
When sharing the gospel, we should be careful what we say and how we say it. Even the word believe can be misleading if it is presented as mere intellectual assent (agreeing that certain facts are true) instead of as trust (relying on those true facts). Judas Iscariot believed certain facts about Jesus, but he never trusted Jesus for salvation. Salvation is not about believing a list of facts. Salvation is not about asking Jesus to come into your heart. Salvation is about trusting in Jesus as your Savior, receiving the forgiveness He offers by grace through faith. Salvation is about being made new through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5).
From https://www.gotquestions.org/ask-Jesus-into-heart.html
Thoughts?
no lol not a correction dear one just wanted to share that scripture because I think that’s what the thought was that was inspired by the op.
I sort of think that the gospel is about getting to know Jesus and how he really is . I’m not sure if he is going to care exactly how someone responds . If they say a prayer and call his name in genuine he will answer them every time
if someone is asking Jesus into thier heart it is an act of their faith calling out for him My only point while it’s not exactly biblical to ask Jesus to come into your heart. He’s alive and living and answers thier who call to him on sincerity he will never fail in that
I sort of think that the gospel is about getting to know Jesus and how he really is . I’m not sure if he is going to care exactly how someone responds . If they say a prayer and call his name in genuine he will answer them every time
if someone is asking Jesus into thier heart it is an act of their faith calling out for him My only point while it’s not exactly biblical to ask Jesus to come into your heart. He’s alive and living and answers thier who call to him on sincerity he will never fail in that
You have fallen into the modernist teaching trap that "God is Love" above all else.
His lordship is one of love. - His Lordship is one of Sovereignty.
The authority of God and Christ are rooted in His nature that is Love. - The authority of God is rooted in Himself, as God.
The lordship we submit to is His love. - The Lordship we submit to is in every aspect of the believers life, even if we do not believe nor love Him, it makes Him no less Lord.
Php 2:9-11 Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name; that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things on earth and things under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Love is not God's primary attribute. What about His Holiness, Justice, Wrath... these three had to be satisfied before His love could flow. God cannot love sin or that which is tainted by sin. Since all are under the curse, His Justice must be satisfied. His Wrath was taken out upon Jesus Christ. This enabled His Love to flow into the temporal existence.
All three of these requirements, took place in eternity, through God's plan of redemption. He could legally, declare His Justice and Wrath were satisfied, even before He created because, nothing can stop God's redemptive effort.
Becoming rooted and grounded in love is the first part of every believers walk.
But that is also based on obedience to his lordship, for example Baptism as a first step of faith.
But you know love through trusting and giving yourself to it.
You experience love by letting it have you. - You experience love, as one of the chosen, because at the appropriate time, it overtakes you.
Faith is required to receive love. - Completely wrong. God's love for the elect goes to before the world was created.
Eph 1:3-6 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ: even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love: having foreordained us unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved:
God's Love for the ones He chose extended from eternity. They will one day have Faith but as of yet are not even born. This Truth prompted the writer to say:
1Jn 4:17-19 Herein is love made perfect with us, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as he is, even so are we in this world. There is no fear in love: but perfect love casteth out fear, because fear hath punishment; and he that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love, because he first loved us.
His lordship is one of love. - His Lordship is one of Sovereignty.
The authority of God and Christ are rooted in His nature that is Love. - The authority of God is rooted in Himself, as God.
The lordship we submit to is His love. - The Lordship we submit to is in every aspect of the believers life, even if we do not believe nor love Him, it makes Him no less Lord.
Php 2:9-11 Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name; that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things on earth and things under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Love is not God's primary attribute. What about His Holiness, Justice, Wrath... these three had to be satisfied before His love could flow. God cannot love sin or that which is tainted by sin. Since all are under the curse, His Justice must be satisfied. His Wrath was taken out upon Jesus Christ. This enabled His Love to flow into the temporal existence.
All three of these requirements, took place in eternity, through God's plan of redemption. He could legally, declare His Justice and Wrath were satisfied, even before He created because, nothing can stop God's redemptive effort.
Becoming rooted and grounded in love is the first part of every believers walk.
But that is also based on obedience to his lordship, for example Baptism as a first step of faith.
But you know love through trusting and giving yourself to it.
You experience love by letting it have you. - You experience love, as one of the chosen, because at the appropriate time, it overtakes you.
Faith is required to receive love. - Completely wrong. God's love for the elect goes to before the world was created.
Eph 1:3-6 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ: even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love: having foreordained us unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved:
God's Love for the ones He chose extended from eternity. They will one day have Faith but as of yet are not even born. This Truth prompted the writer to say:
1Jn 4:17-19 Herein is love made perfect with us, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as he is, even so are we in this world. There is no fear in love: but perfect love casteth out fear, because fear hath punishment; and he that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love, because he first loved us.
It is all the unmerited grace of God, to those whom He foreknew. Grace enables one to accomplish the things required because the new heart and hearing ears, enables one to grasp the Gospel message and believe.
This is not a simple intellectual believing but a deep rooted meaningful understanding of the spiritual things of God.
This is not a simple intellectual believing but a deep rooted meaningful understanding of the spiritual things of God.
hmm so do the teachings apply or not ? For instance should a believer believe this ? Or reject it and say “ it’s all unwarranted favor that doesn’t apply “
“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them.”
Ephesians 5:1-7 KJV
should a Christian believe this also or should we say “ we’ll that doesn’t apply because of the word grace “?
to simplify do the teachings of what to do and what not to do in Christ apply ?
and second do all of pauls dire warnings like this apply ? Or is he trying to confuse us ?
shouldn’t saved by grace be understood as Jesus Christ and his apostles explained it rather than us inventing a new lens to erase the authority of the Holy Spirit who spoke through Jesus and his apostles and recorded it down for all mankind ?
or should we revolutionize salvation make it more “ inviting “
“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them.”
Ephesians 5:1-7 KJV
should a Christian believe this also or should we say “ we’ll that doesn’t apply because of the word grace “?
to simplify do the teachings of what to do and what not to do in Christ apply ?
and second do all of pauls dire warnings like this apply ? Or is he trying to confuse us ?
shouldn’t saved by grace be understood as Jesus Christ and his apostles explained it rather than us inventing a new lens to erase the authority of the Holy Spirit who spoke through Jesus and his apostles and recorded it down for all mankind ?
or should we revolutionize salvation make it more “ inviting “
L
didn't read the entire thread...was the same op some time back anyway
but I think the expression to ask Jesus into your heart, might have come about with the influence of scripture talking about changed hearts and the heart meant alot more back in the day then it does now.
you know, if some child asks Jesus into their heart, as I did as a child, I would have a very hard time believing Jesus would go...'sorry kid. wrong words'.
so much nitpicking
but I think the expression to ask Jesus into your heart, might have come about with the influence of scripture talking about changed hearts and the heart meant alot more back in the day then it does now.
you know, if some child asks Jesus into their heart, as I did as a child, I would have a very hard time believing Jesus would go...'sorry kid. wrong words'.
so much nitpicking
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Of course a believer should believe these things, it is Scripture, is it not? No true believer should walk in the immoral and unrighteous ways of man. As your last verse said, "Be not ye therefore partakers with them." A Better translation, would be "You stop being therefore partakers with them." What the KJV translated as "Be not ye", does not pick up the verb tense (present) very well.
But God's Grace, enables us to learn and move away from the things of the world. Grace therefore, is love.
The point of my post was, it is not always about love, love, love. We also are instructed to deal with individuals, in as much lies in us to do: Rom 12:18 If it be possible, as much as in you lieth, be at peace with all men. True believers should not put up with misuse of the Truth, that they have been called to witness and defend.
Again, Paul did not approach this situation with LOVE.
Gal 1:6-8 I marvel that ye are so quickly removing from him that called you in the grace of Christ unto a different gospel; which is not another gospel: only there are some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach unto you any gospel other than that which we preached unto you, let him be anathema.
If True Christians are to defend anything, let it be the Gospel of Christ.
I am not saying you are guilty of this.... just pointing out, that sometimes a believer must show righteous indignation.
But God's Grace, enables us to learn and move away from the things of the world. Grace therefore, is love.
The point of my post was, it is not always about love, love, love. We also are instructed to deal with individuals, in as much lies in us to do: Rom 12:18 If it be possible, as much as in you lieth, be at peace with all men. True believers should not put up with misuse of the Truth, that they have been called to witness and defend.
Again, Paul did not approach this situation with LOVE.
Gal 1:6-8 I marvel that ye are so quickly removing from him that called you in the grace of Christ unto a different gospel; which is not another gospel: only there are some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach unto you any gospel other than that which we preached unto you, let him be anathema.
If True Christians are to defend anything, let it be the Gospel of Christ.
I am not saying you are guilty of this.... just pointing out, that sometimes a believer must show righteous indignation.
Backwards of what Scripture teaches.
How can a new born believer, have anything to do with the birth of John 3:3-10. Check the verb tenses in the Greek, on Being Born from Above. They are in the "passive" voice. The individual is being acted upon. He is passive. The verb tense would have to be "active", if the person was involved in the action. Or it would be "middle", if the person was responsible for the action.
How can a new born believer, have anything to do with the birth of John 3:3-10. Check the verb tenses in the Greek, on Being Born from Above. They are in the "passive" voice. The individual is being acted upon. He is passive. The verb tense would have to be "active", if the person was involved in the action. Or it would be "middle", if the person was responsible for the action.
didn't read the entire thread...was the same op some time back anyway
but I think the expression to ask Jesus into your heart, might have come about with the influence of scripture talking about changed hearts and the heart meant alot more back in the day then it does now.
you know, if some child asks Jesus into their heart, as I did as a child, I would have a very hard time believing Jesus would go...'sorry kid. wrong words'.
so much nitpicking
but I think the expression to ask Jesus into your heart, might have come about with the influence of scripture talking about changed hearts and the heart meant alot more back in the day then it does now.
you know, if some child asks Jesus into their heart, as I did as a child, I would have a very hard time believing Jesus would go...'sorry kid. wrong words'.
so much nitpicking
things like that terrify me when I think back on my life but it doesn’t make it untrue is the important thing .
yes much more agreement yesninagreenin full God enables us it’s all his grace or we couldn’t be saved but that’s also true of Noah
“But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.
And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.
And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die. But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons' wives with thee.
Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.”
Genesis 6:8, 13-14, 17-18, 22
that’s how our salvation works perfectly right there Gods grace sent a savior for us to believe in and put our faith in . Jesus died for OUR sins that is grace indeed.
but you see Noah was given grace first and then God told him the truth like that judgement scripture is sort of like Hes saying” there’s a flood coming now believe the flood is coming and do what I am telling you will save you from the flood and I will bless you with eternal
Life “
just believe the one I sent to tell you these things and then send his message out to everyone who will believe it . What I’m saying is grace doesn’t then eliminate the path God is telling us will save us his grace made salvation available and all we need to do is hear and believe that path is the right path and well follow it but only if we really do believe it is Gods way
there’s grace indeed but there are things we learn that transform our thinking which brings about that change on
Our life anyways I’m glad you clarified thank you and God bless
wherever the gospel is it happens it’s the eternal war it started like this
“And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”
Genesis 2:16-17 KJV
and then
“And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
and it’s effect on man even though God has just said it will surely bring death after the deception
And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden.
And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.”
Genesis 3:4-10 KJV
nothing God said made them
Afraid he had given them all the earth and brought them into his presence blessed them made the rulers over all his creation and warned them of
One danger
satans one and only ploy is to get a person to disbelieve what God said because Satan knows it’s 100 percent true what God said. Many think of our enemy like a giant scary beast but he’s more like a mole he blends in and subtly deceives away from what God has clearly
And immutably said
“And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”
Genesis 2:16-17 KJV
and then
“And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
and it’s effect on man even though God has just said it will surely bring death after the deception
And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden.
And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.”
Genesis 3:4-10 KJV
nothing God said made them
Afraid he had given them all the earth and brought them into his presence blessed them made the rulers over all his creation and warned them of
One danger
satans one and only ploy is to get a person to disbelieve what God said because Satan knows it’s 100 percent true what God said. Many think of our enemy like a giant scary beast but he’s more like a mole he blends in and subtly deceives away from what God has clearly
And immutably said
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You need to go back to John 1:11-13 and 1 Peter 1:23-25 to see how the New Birth comes about.
FIRST COMES FAITH IN CHRIST THROUGH THE GOSPEL
THEN COMES THE NEW BIRTH
He came unto his own, and His own received Him not. But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the Word which by the Gospel is preached unto you.
And James corroborates this in his epistle (1:18): Of His own will begat He [gave birth to] us with the Word of Truth [the Gospel], that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.
FIRST COMES FAITH IN CHRIST THROUGH THE GOSPEL
THEN COMES THE NEW BIRTH
He came unto his own, and His own received Him not. But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the Word which by the Gospel is preached unto you.
And James corroborates this in his epistle (1:18): Of His own will begat He [gave birth to] us with the Word of Truth [the Gospel], that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.
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