You said a prayer and asked Jesus to come into your life, but are you really saved?

Modern religious culture often insists you need seminary to do ministry. Unfortunately, the focus of seminary, too often, is to churn out lots of well-meaning do-gooders who substitute their ideas and good deeds for Godly Salvation. Many of them do not genuinely know God.

As many ministers go through some type of Bible College, they are provided approaches and formulas on how to run a church like a business. Part of that “business model” is all about the numbers. How many people attended, how many baptisms, how many baby dedications, and then, how many were “saved”? One of the formulas common to some evangelistic seminaries and schools is what is called the “Sinner’s Prayer”. Many of us have heard it, the typical summary you hear in churches or on TV is something like this:

“Do you want to know Jesus?”

“You can! You can know him today!”

“Now, everyone bow your head and no looking around. Now, repeat this prayer with me.”

“Lord Jesus, I believe you died for me, I know I’m a sinner who needs your Salvation. I’m sorry for my sin and will you please come into my life and make me new? I trust you Jesus and you are my Lord.”

“If you just said that prayer then quickly slip your hand up. Yes, thank you I see yours, and yours, and yours. You are now saved!”

And then the congregation claps!

Many people who say that prayer have a real experience with a real Savior in Jesus. Sadly it is often treated as some magical incantation, some sort of mystical call to the great higher power in the sky. What is sad is the number who say the prayer, then have a real experience with a very real God and Savior in Jesus the Christ, but do not come to the genuine place of lasting Salvation. As the parable of the Sower and the Seed teaches, we can have genuine experiences with God that do not last (read the story in Matthew 13:18-23 or Mark 4:13-20 or Luke 8:11-15). One of the biggest things that is lacking from that prayer is genuine repentance.

The words alone are not magic, even if those words use the name of Jesus and produce some degree of change. Without more, without a genuine heart change that comes only from repentance, Salvation is out of reach. This does not mean you can be saved through some type of work. Absolutely not. What I am saying is the Bible has a plan, but before we explore that plan it is important to understand the need for Salvation. Without knowledge of the reason you need to be saved, then the life-changing experience will be just out of reach. It all starts with repentance that leads to Salvation in Christ Jesus.

The Saving Power of Christ Jesus

Previously we outlined the foundations of the faith, and why Christ Jesus, and Jesus alone, is the only way to God. Once we understand the real Gospel message, the simple Gospel message, Salvation is not far away. Even with Salvation being close to us, what does the Bible mean when it says we must believe?

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.” John 5:24

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3:16-18. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12

Calling Upon Christ Jesus is the Path to Salvation

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 1 John 1:8-10. [I]f you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? Romans 10:9-10, 13-14. And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Hebrews 11:6.

Consider carefully Romans 10:14 above where it says “how will they call on Him in whom they have not believed?” When the Bible speaks of calling on the name of Christ Jesus the Messiah, the Savior, it is speaking of one who genuinely understands they are a sinner, in need of Salvation, and in need of The Savior. This belief begins with an understanding that Jesus the Christ is the only perfect substitute for the death sentence on all of us. A life for a life is the substitute to take the punishment of my sin away. Without that genuine understanding then what is it that you are believing for? Are you just afraid of some punishment in hell so you are trying to cover your bases? How do you even believe Jesus rose from the grave or why that is even important? Just saying a few words, or even facing God and having the audacity of saying “Lord, Lord” is not enough. It is not in a few magical words, but in faith demonstrated by your life.

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 7:21

This last verse bothered me for many years. I knew I was in the “Lord, Lord…” camp. Unfortunately I was not alone and there are many, even in the pulpit who will be surprised to find themselves on the outside looking in.

Show that You have Repented and Believed with Works Worthy of Repentance

Let me be very, very clear here about works, grace, and salvation. Works cannot save you. You are a sinner, we are ALL sinners. Only Jesus Christ can save you. However, works are a demonstration that you have had a genuine conversion experience with God through Jesus Christ. Works can never lead to Salvation, but works prove our faith that we have Salvation we do not deserve. Think about it, if you were drowning and someone saved your life, wouldn’t you be grateful and want to do something to pay them back? There is nothing we can ever do to balance the scales and pay for the tremendous sacrifice that Christ Jesus paid for us. However, if you genuinely understand the price that was paid for you then you will naturally try to do something in return.

The best comparison I have ever heard about works as a way to Salvation is like trying to bribe the judge to avoid a death sentence. But, if that judge were to not accept your bribe, but instead were to show you grace and mercy, you could prove you are grateful after the fact by doing what you can to live up to some amount of that grace and mercy. We can never do enough to earn Salvation but, the works show that we recognize the debt we owe and the price that was paid. The works are a demonstration that we really do believe, and have faith, that Jesus is the only way to God. Otherwise, why put forth the effort for something you consider a good story, or a fable, or a myth?

Jesus message to the Jewish people, “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” Luke 3:8. Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Acts 2:38. Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you. Acts 3:19-20.

What good is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith, but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you tells him, “Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,” but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that? So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead. James 2:14-17.

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. Titus 2:11-14. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17.

With all of this in mind, I would encourage you to repent and seek Salvation in Our Lord and Savior Jesus, the Christ, the Messiah, the Holy One of God. Are you ready? Will you finally discover the true meaning of life by choosing this day who you will serve? Will you continue your path and serve yourself or will you serve God? Will you accept Jesus today?

If you are ready I would ask you to ponder this prayer and then say it to God, to Jesus Christ, as if he were standing right there in your presence and could hear every word you say. Read it, then pray it if you agree.

God, I know that I am a sinner. I have trespassed against you and your commands. I have done things in my life that are wrong. For that I am truly sorry and right now I am making a commitment to you to turn away from the sin in my life, to the best of my ability. I repent of that sin. I also believe that you sent your son Jesus, the Christ, as my Savior, to take my place for my sin. Jesus died in my place so that I did not have to die in my sins. I also believe you raised Jesus from the grave to prove openly that he overcame death and hell. Right now please forgive me. Come into my life and help me turn away from my sins and to serve you. I ask you to make me clean and bring me into a relationship with you through Jesus. Jesus, I call you Lord and ask you to come into my life and help me live for you all the days of my life. Thank you for hearing me. Amen.