Mission Venture Ministries

As the following verses express, when you get saved, Jesus “comes into your heart” (Romans 8:9–11; Ephesians 3:17; Colossians 1:27–28; Galatians 2:20). 

Therefore, asking Jesus to “come into our heart” is not inappropriate, but we need to keep in mind that the only necessary implementations for laying hold of salvation are repentance and faith. The gospel is the good news of Jesus’ death and resurrection for the forgiveness of our sin (1 Corinthians 15:3–4). 

The Bible clearly teaches that the moment a person turns from his wrongdoings and trusts in Jesus to be forgiven of his sins, he is saved (Acts 2:37-41). He has passed from spiritual death to spiritual life (John 5:24) and has been declared not guilty in God’s court of law (Romans 3:21-26). From God’s perspective, his salvation is an objective reality that cannot be changed (Romans 8:28-30). 

There are lots of things that happen at the moment of salvation – our sins are washed by the blood Jesus shed on the cross, sealed by His Spirit, we are guaranteed a home in heaven, grafted into the vine, our names are written in the book of life, Satan’s claims against us are nullified, and Jesus comes to dwell in our hearts, just to name a few. 

Beware though, that people with no remorse for their sins might still have the false belief and be excited about Jesus providing them with an eternal home. Judas Iscariot believed certain facts about Jesus, but he never trusted Jesus for salvation. To be truly saved you must repent and believe in the gospel. 

Salvation is a request for forgiveness of sins and for union with Jesus, but the request is obtained not so much by the expression of a request but by faith in Christ’s finished work. 

Our concern is not on what words we might use to express our faith, but that we understand saving faith and how we can gain assurance that we have it. Many Christians see salvation as a transaction one conducts with Jesus rather than the beginning of a position they take toward the finished work of Christ thru a transformed life. 

In fact, if Christians do not urge the hearer to respond personally to God’s offer in Christ, we have not fully taught the gospel. Conversion is not so much a one-time ceremony you go through and that you’d better get right or else be eternally lost; it is a posture toward Christ that you begin in repentance and faith and maintain for the rest of your life. 

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 need to change our mind about our sin and about who Christ is; and need to believe that Jesus died and rose again, and receive the gift of eternal life by faith. 

Remember, 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). 

How do you know if you’re really saved? Put simply, our salvation depends solely on the person and work of Jesus Christ. As we continue to trust in Him, we will experience the power of the Holy Spirit at work in our lives to make us more like Jesus. When we see this happening, our assurance that we truly are one of God’s children grows. 

The Lord Jesus said in John 3:6, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” “Born of the flesh” refers to our physical birth, and “born of the Spirit” refers to our spiritual birth. 

“The Spirit” is the Spirit of God, and “spirit” refers to our human spirit. When we believe in Jesus Christ, our human spirit is born of the Spirit with the divine life of God. 

Therefore, “Whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father” (Colossians 3:17). 

Father, help me to see that following you is not merely a one-time decision, but a daily way of life. Show me where I fail to understand that my walk with You is a posture toward Christ – one that I maintain for a lifetime. Equip me to share the gospel with those that are close to me yet far from You so that they may experience the hope of Jesus. Thank you for eternal life and the gift of your Spirit. Amen! 

*******