HOW TO ACCEPT JESUS INTO YOUR HEART
So, how do you accept Jesus into your heart? What does that mean?
Welcome to Sunday Bible Study Basics where we provide weekly Bible study tips to help you dive deeper in your faith.
Accepting Jesus into your heart is simply accepting his way of living, loving, and leading our lives. When Jesus came to earth we believe that he was God in the flesh. 100% God and 100% man at the same time. He came and taught about the Kingdom of Heaven and showed everyone around him a new type of perspective that they weren’t used to. A new heart. This new way of thinking was the motivation behind everything that Jesus did. And as believers we are invited to live the same way.
And so when we talk about accepting Jesus, that means that we are being saved from being trapped in sin, which results in eternal punishment. And it’s that faith in Jesus that saves us by his grace. He died and rose again just to pay the price for our sins. Salvation doesn’t come from our good deeds or by doing anything special, it’s a free gift from God just because He loves us so much. We need to turn away from our sins, believe that Jesus is God’s Son and our Savior, and submit to Him as Lord of our lives. By doing so, we receive salvation and eternal life.
So if you haven’t taken that next step on your faith journey, to begin a personal relationship with God where you will be saved from the consequences of your sins, I’d love to invite you to repeat this prayer with me.
“Jesus, I believe that you are the Son of God and Savior of the world. I believe that you died for my sins and rose from the dead. I believe that through your sacrifice, I am a new person. Forgive me for my sin and fill me with your Spirit. Today, I choose to follow you for the rest of my life as Lord of my life. Amen.”
How awesome is that! Now what are the next steps?
First, tell another Christian that you accepted Jesus in your life. It’s something to celebrate!
Second, find a local church community to get plugged into. Doing life together is what will help you grow.
Third, try to read the Bible and spend time in prayer for at least 10-15 minutes every day. If you don’t have a Bible, you can buy one at the store or online or use the YouVersion Bible app. If you don’t know what translation to use, if you want it closer to the original language I’d suggest ESV, if you want it a little more modern I’d suggest NLT. So, 10-15 minutes a day of prayer and reading.
And finally, get baptized. Check out the next time your church is offering baptisms. It’s a biblical thing to do. Basically an outward expression of an inward decision.
So that’s what it means to accept Jesus into your heart and the next steps to take once you do.
As someone deeply immersed in theological studies and with a profound passion for Christian doctrine, allow me to guide you through the intricacies of the concepts presented in the article on "How to Accept Jesus into Your Heart."
Firstly, the article emphasizes the notion of accepting Jesus into one's heart as a transformative experience rooted in the Christian faith. Drawing on my extensive knowledge, I can affirm that this concept is grounded in Christian theology, particularly the belief in the Incarnation—that Jesus is both 100% God and 100% man.
The article underscores Jesus' teachings about the Kingdom of Heaven and his revolutionary perspective on life—a new way of thinking that transcends conventional norms. This resonates with the Christian understanding of salvation, emphasizing the need to turn away from sin and embrace a life guided by Jesus' example.
Crucially, the article delves into the theological principle of salvation by grace through faith. As an expert, I can attest that this concept is foundational to Christian doctrine, asserting that salvation is a divine gift freely given by God, unearned by any human effort. The article's emphasis on Jesus' death and resurrection as the means to pay for sins aligns with the central tenets of Christian soteriology.
Furthermore, the call to confess belief in Jesus as God's Son and Savior and to submit to Him as Lord of one's life is consistent with the Christian understanding of discipleship. This involves a personal commitment to follow Jesus and live according to his teachings.
The provided prayer serves as a model for expressing this commitment, acknowledging Jesus as the Son of God, the Savior, and seeking forgiveness for sins. The article's emphasis on the transformative nature of this prayer aligns with the Christian belief in spiritual rebirth through faith in Jesus Christ.
The subsequent section on "next steps" reflects a comprehensive approach to nurturing one's newfound faith. Recommending the proclamation of faith to other Christians, joining a local church community, engaging in daily prayer and Bible reading, and undergoing baptism are all in line with traditional Christian practices and discipleship.
In conclusion, the article adeptly captures the essence of accepting Jesus into one's heart within the framework of Christian theology. Its guidance on subsequent steps reflects a holistic approach to spiritual growth and aligns with established Christian practices. If you are contemplating this journey, rest assured that these steps are firmly rooted in the rich tapestry of Christian tradition and theology.
