I grew up in a Southern Baptist church, so I was used to hearing the phrase “ask Jesus into your heart” almost every time I was there! It never bothered me. I did ask Jesus into my heart when I was 9 years old, and the Holy Spirit has indwelt me ever since. Praise the Lord!
However, I have often heard of people (Christians and not) who have a problem with the phrase. Maybe it’s not the best. I’m grateful for my husband who found the following verses that will at least give some background to where the phrase first began. And, if you don’t like that phrase, you can use one of the following verses instead.
“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
“I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the very work that the Father has given me to finish, and which I am doing, testifies that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life. “I do not accept praise from men, but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts.
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