I have often pushed against the idea that we should tell people to simply ask Jesus into our hearts. I don't want to seem cynical but I seems that Jesus' words in Luke 14:25-34 hold for us some serious warnings to just jumping in on this thing called following Jesus. Yes there are some major rewards and gifts with doing so, but there are also some serious questions to consider. Simply telling people that if they don't want to go to hell and if they want someone else to pay for their sin they should just ask Jesus into their heart, seems to be simplifying what Jesus seemed to teach. The choice to follow Jesus is truly a wise one and a needed one but it does require understanding and some deep consideration.
Take a moment and read Luke 14:25-34. Have you taken time to count the coast? Have you consider seriously what giving up your life and following Jesus' will and way in all things may coast you? I'm not saying it won’t be worth it. God is truly good, and loves giving good gifts. His way leads to true life, and Jesus is the only way to find true life. But I believe many have come to believe that they can follow Jesus and still hold on to their own life. They can follow Jesus but still live their lives their own way for their own purposes and desires. The problem with trying to hold on to your own life, be in charge of your own life and follow Jesus at that same time is that you become salt that has lost its saltiness.
Matthew 16:24-27 reads
24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.
Yes, ask Jesus into your heart, He is salvation and hope for all who believe, but be sure you understand what that means.
I read this prayer the other day and as I read, I was like, Amen!!! This is what asking Jesus into your hearts means. Take a read. Be ready to be challenged, I was. It is not only a prayer for salvation but I would say it is a challenge for us to realize what it means that we are followers of God in Jesus Christ. I found myself praying along as I read, "Lord please bring my heart fully to this place as well. Lord do this in me."
This prayer was shared by the King David The Emperor Facebook page...
"Merciful Heavenly Father by your faithful Grace, I pray in the name of Jesus. I put my trust in the finished works of the Cross of Jesus Christ. Lord I totally believe in you as my Lord and Savior. You left Heaven for me, you suffered for me and at the Cross, your unconditional sacrificial love was poured for me through your Precious Blood. You took all my sins, redeemed, justified and paid the penalty of hell for my sake. Right now I totally choose to truly believe and confess that I am a sinner in need of a Savior, so Oh Lord forgive me from all my sins and come into life and break all my chains. Write my name in the book of life forever and permanently release the bleach of your Word and Blood upon my Salvational wedding garment. I need you now like never before Lord. I choose as an act of my free Will to renounce all evil patterns in my family and look to you for daily grace to walk and serve you all the days of my life until Heaven. Lord reveal to me your Will for my life. You have saved my soul that I might serve you all the days of my life. Search me well from the inside out and wash me from all evil. Deliver my soul from the chains of the devil and set my spirit free to worship you. Remove from me the ways of unrighteousness and direct my feet to walk through the narrow road. Whatever you have not planted in my system, I pray your Mighty Hand will uproot it now. I refuse to have any connections or relationships with darkness because I have chosen you as my Lord. I deeply pray for all my lost family members and those around me to come to believe in you. Lord I ask that you permanently cancel every attack to my relationship with you and Salvation. I am more than grateful and truly appreciate what you have done for me at the Cross. I humble myself before you and ask that you shepherd my life and life's decisions for your own glory. You are my all in one and I love you Lord. I finally pray that you give me grace for your Word and the strength to follow you. Give me an anointed prayer life to intercede for the lost around the World in Jesus name Amen.
Thank you Lord!!
May it be so in my life my Lord Jesus. Lord help us all understand what asking Jesus into our heart really means for our hearts, and what it really means for our lives.
Have you counted the cost? Have you given up your life to Jesus? Have you found true life in Jesus Christ? Of do you call yourself a believer but really just agree with everything the bible teaches, and agree with Jesus, but have yet to give your life to Him and submit your will and way to His will and way? Are you living following Jesus' path for your life, or are you still living out your path, your ways, for your life, while you "believe in Jesus". When we call people to receive Jesus into their hearts, let's make sure we are clear on what it fully means to follow Jesus who is Lord and King, and the Holy Saviour of this world.
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