Reevaluating the Invitation: Why Asking Jesus Into Your heart is Not Biblically Sound.

Growing up around “religion” my entire life, you would think that I would be a wealth of knowledge when it comes to God’s Word. I should have scripture memorized, I should have an excellent grasp on being a Christian and have it all together. I was around the age of eleven when I attended a vacation Bible school for the first time and “Asked Jesus Into My Heart”… I say that with hesitation because… where is that in scripture? Asking Him into your heart? Where did that come from?

This traditional saying for salvation has been used from everyone I grew up around, went to church with, went to school with… I mean everyone! How could everyone have it wrong? But they do. I did too. This way of “salvation” is a complete lie. A lie from Satan, passed down from generation to generation. When my “salvation” took place, growing up from a teenager to an adult, I went to church pretty regularly I would say, even if I had to drive myself.

I went to a Baptist church then to a Church of God church. Now as a semi-seasoned, adult Christian today, I can spot the differences but back then I just went where I “felt good”. Spiritually, I was starving but I’d lead with my flesh the majority of the time because that’s what I was being told by friends, family… their advice was to go where you fit in. I was not in God’s Word the way I needed to be, so advice trumped scripture 99.9% of the time.

I had hardly ever focused on doctrine or if doctrine actually mattered but DOCTRINE MATTERS 100%!!! It’s disturbing how many doctrines are actually out there spreading lies today. Ephesians 4:14 KJV “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;”

After being “saved” I got married about 15 years later, had children… my husband was saved shortly later and immediately called into ministry which quiet honestly, I wanted nothing to do with. Not because I wasn’t enthusiastic about the Lord and His marvelous compassion and grace he’s offered us but it was my own insecurities that held the excitement back. I’m an extreme introvert, had no confidence in myself or scripture and I knew I was still a “baby Christian” truth be told.

God may have used me to get my husband to salvation but I can promise you, the Lord uses my husband daily in so many ways to keep me learning. It wasn’t until five years ago that I even knew “asking Jesus into my heart” at age 11 was not exactly accurate. It was tradition of men that I was following. Now, with a little studying and the churches I did attended, I knew about His death, burial and resurrection. But not as a whole. Not presented as The Gospel in which we are saved.

Scripture clearly shows the way to salvation in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians.

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 KJV: 5 “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;”

2 “By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.”

3 “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;”

4 “And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”

When the Lord revealed this to me through my husband, I was speechless. Honestly, I felt disgusted. Not because I didn’t appreciate God’s Word but because I felt almost betrayed by pastors in my past. Either they have been lying to me or they don’t know the true Gospel that saves. I had a whirlwind of emotions for quiet some time. I questioned it and questioned it but the only answer I could come up with was… It’s literally right there, in plain sight, plain as day in scripture.

How could everyone I know miss it if they’re reading their Bibles?… Me included. Through reading for myself and additional guidance from my Biblically versed husband, the Lord kept revealing so many things I had missed growing up. Most churches operate fully on traditions of men and NOT SCRIPTURE!! I have been sick to my stomach ever since. I think to myself… they have to know this, it’s written in the very text they teach from every week!!

Nowhere in God’s Word has it ever said we must “ask Jesus into our hearts”… it’s just not there. I honestly began to question my salvation. In a round about way though, my foundation was built upon trusting fully in His death, burial and resurrection which I am so thankful for. Here’s something to ask yourself. Is your pastor preaching on the Gospel that saves or is he stuck in the traditions of men and leading astray?

If he’s teaching salvation differently, most likely the entire congregation doesn’t know how to be saved and your pastor is accountable for that because he’s preaching a false gospel. Go up and ask him personally on how to get saved. If he’s not giving you the Gospel directly for salvation…RUN! Let’s look at what scripture says on this:

Galations 1:6-9 KJV: 6 “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:”

7 “Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.”

8 “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.”

9 “As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed”

It clearly says if your pastor, my pastor, your sister’s pastor, etc…. Preaches any other gospel than what’s in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 then he is accursed which means LOST. If any of us go around sharing any other avenue to salvation we are lost and on our way to hell. The world has tried so hard to complicate salvation when it’s as simple as believing and trusting in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ according to the scriptures.

That’s it! We don’t have to work for it, worry about losing it once we trust in it. It’s grace through faith alone. Trust that the shed blood of Jesus Christ, His death, His burial and His resurrection is enough and YOU WILL BE SAVED! It’s that easy! Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV: 8 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:” 9 “Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

By: A Wretched, Imperfect Pastor’s Wife Britni Potthoff