Clarity is Important
One of the places in our personal testimonies where we need to be clearest, we can sometimes be the most muddleheaded. It often goes like this.
We tend to focus the bulk of our testimony on our sinful past and then when we get to the climax of our story we say something like, “It was then that I asked Jesus into my heart.” Sometimes we miss the cross altogether. Other times we can be clear about the cross, but not clear about repentance and faith.
Don’t say, “I asked Jesus into my heart”
Can I appeal and ask you not to use the phrase “I asked Jesus into my heart.” I know what you’re trying to say, but there are clearer ways of saying it. I think it comes from Revelation 3:20 which says,
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.Five Reasons
So, can I give you five reasons why you shouldn’t say “I asked Jesus into my heart”?
1. It puts the emphasis on you and your decision to ask Jesus into your heart. It sounds as if poor Jesus is standing at the door of your heart knocking and unable to enter without you opening the door. The emphasis in our testimonies should be on God, His initiative, and His grace.
2. It is theologically inaccurate. I was dead in my trespasses and sins until the moment God gave me life. My regeneration enabled me to respond to the gospel and pursue repentance and faith. I would guess this phrase comes from a tradition that emphasizes man’s decision for Christ.
3. It takes Revelation 3:30 out of context. The Book of Revelation is to the church, to believers who have already placed their faith in Christ. I know many evangelists use this verse to plead for a response to the gospel, but it’s out of context.
4. It is confusing and weird. I think this is the reason that got me thinking about this issue. Picture yourself as a non-Christian listening to your testimony, finding it interesting, and then maybe even getting drawn to the Savior and then you say, “I asked Jesus into my heart!” I find it a little weird. What is that? How do you do that? Is He there now? Okay, I’m being a little facetious, sorry.
5. It is unclear what someone actually has to do. We should replace “I asked Jesus into my heart” with repentance and faith language. What you did was repent and place your faith in Jesus. Tell them what that means. Tell them you made a commitment to forsake your life outside of Christ and live for Jesus. Tell them you did that by trusting in Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins and eternal life. I think that is so much more helpful to a listener.
