Confession of sin

  Confession of sin

Jesus said, 

“..."Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."” Matthew 4:17.

I know many people say they are as good as most people. Better even than some. And it’s probably true. But the fact is we all sin. We all fall short of Gods ideal for our lives. 

The apostle Paul writing,

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.  Romans 3:23,24.

The apostle John writes, 

"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” 1John 1:8-10.

The important thing here is to realize that although we sin. That by confessing our sins to God those sins will be forgiven. This is especially important for those who claim to be Christians, true followers of Christ Jesus.

Have you confessed you sins to God recently?

Please think about it.

If You

  If you

Jesus said,

"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. 

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.  

When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.” Matthew 13:44-46

If you found something of great importance to mankind. Something that would change lives. Would you not want to share it?

That is what we as Christians, as true followers in Christ Jesus believe we have. We believe: 

Jesus is the Son of God

The Saviour of all who believe in Him.

We believe He gave his life for the sins we committed.

The Apostle Paul states,

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.  

Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.  

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:6-8

As believers in Christ Jesus we believe you cannot be good enough to stand before a Holy God. The simple fact being we are far from perfect and sin. Sin meaning falling short of Gods ideal for our life.

Thus Jesus speaking of Himself said,

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." John 3:16,17.

All it takes on our part is to believe Jesus paid the price for our sins. Then confess those sins to Jesus.

The apostle John stating,

 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  

If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives." 1John 1:9-10.

It all comes down to what the Apostle Paul wrote,

"That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  

For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."  

For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,  for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:9-13.

Please think about it.

Do you confess your sins to God?

  Do you confess your sins?

The Psalmist writes,

“I acknowledged my sin to you.”

                                                  Psalm 32:5

So my question to you dear reader is do you acknowledge your sins to God? When you realize you have fallen short of what God wants for your life, do you confess your sin to God?

The apostle John writes,

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  

If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives." 1John 1:9-10.

The apostle Paul reminds us that Jesus took our sins upon Him. Paul states,

"For our sake he (Jesus) made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 2 Corinthians 5:20.

The apostle Paul writing to the Romans states,

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.  Romans 3:23,24.

Redemption for our sins happens when we confess our sins to God and accept the saving grace that comes through Chris Jesus.

So, do you confess your sins to God?

Please think about it.

Acknowledge sin

  Acknowledge sin

The Psalmist writes,

“Then I acknowledged my sin to you 

and did not cover up my iniquity. 

I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD"

 and you forgave the guilt of my sin.” 

                                                                Psalm 32:5

The apostle Paul writes,

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.  Romans 3:23,24.

Sin separates us from God. But scripture tells us that if we confess our sins God will forgive us our sins. But God doesn’t stop there the apostle Paul reminds us,

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8.

Writing to the Corinthians Paul states,

"For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 2 Corinthians 5:20.

It was for us. You and me, that Christ died on the cross.

The apostle John writes,

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  

If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives." 1John 1:9-10.

Thus the choice is ours.

Are you willing to confess your sins directly to God in prayer or not?

Please think about it.

Preserved, Restored, Pardoned

 Preserved, Restored, Pardoned..."

In the book of Deuteronomy we read,

"Thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondsman in the land of Egypt, and the Lord thy God redeemed thee." Deuteronomy 15:15.

I believe it's at St. Mary Woolnoth  an Anglican church in the City of London, that there is a plaque with the words,

"John Newton, clerk, once an infidel and libertine, a servant of slaves in Africa, was, by the rich mercy of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, preserved, restored, pardoned, and appointed to preach the faith he had long laboured to destroy."

Newton was a slave trader who helped himself to the female slaves. He was a deserter, flogged by the British Navy, who was reduced to being the slave of a sadistic woman, herself a slave, in Africa.

He came to Christ on March 10, 1748 while steering a near foundering ship in a storm. 

Newton would go on to be the curate at a church in Olney, Buckinghamshire. Along with William Cowper write the Olney Hymns (1779) Two hundred eighty of which he wrote including the hymn Amazing grace.

In 1787 he with William Wilberforce founded the Society for Effecting the Abolition of the Slave Trade. Speaking out against the evil that was the slave trade. Even writing a book Thoughts Upon the African Slave Trade. He would testify against slavery to parliament. Living long enough to see slavery abolished.

It would be easy for us in the twenty-first century to say “well I’m not a bad as Newton” and that might be so. But the apostle Paul wrote,

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," Romans 3:23.

Little sins or big sins or anything in between separates us from God. Sin is falling short of God’s ideal for our life. The apostle John stating.

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  

If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives." 1John 1:9-10.

Do you believe that you are a sinner falling short of God’s ideal. Do you believe the words of Jesus who said,

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son”. John 3:16-18.

Can you say as John Newton said,

“...by the rich mercy of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, preserved, restored, pardoned...”

Please think about it.

The Test

  The test

The apostle John writes,

"Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.  

He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work.  

No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.  

This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother." 1 John 3:7-10.

Here is if you will the litmus test for someone who claims to be Christian.

1/ He does right.

2/ He does not sin.

John making it clear,

“This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother." 1 John 3:10.

The way I see it this is how we should judge anyone who claims to be a Christian.

Please think about it.

Christs reason for coming

 Christs reason for coming

Jesus said,

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:10,12.

Here put simply Jesus gives his reason for coming to this world. To lay his life down for his sheep.

The apostle Paul writes,

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.  Romans 3:23,24.

Sin is falling short of God’s ideal for us. Sin separates us from God.

God knew that we could not live a life good enough to be with Him that is why he sent Jesus,

Paul stating

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8.

The apostle John stating,

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."1John 1:9.

Do you believe this?

Please think about it.

God's forgiveness

  God’s forgiveness

The Psalmist writes,

“Lord, if you kept an account 

of iniquities, 

Lord, who could stand?

But with you there is 

forgiveness,

So you may be revered”

                              Psalm 130:3,4

The Psalmist here is telling us that if God kept an account of our iniquities no one would get to heaven. But the God we serve is a loving God. A God of forgiveness. 

The apostle Paul writes,

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8,9.

 Do you believe in God and the grace that comes from Christ Jesus?

Do you believe the words of the apostle John who states,

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1John 1:9?

Please think about it.

He Crowns the Humble

  He Crowns the Humble

The Psalmist writes,

“For the LORD takes delight in his people; 

he crowns the humble with salvation.” 

                                                          Psalm 149:4

I think our road to salvation begins when we admit to ourselves that we cannot work our way to heaven. When we humble ourselves before God and say I cannot do it alone. I cannot be good enough to enter Heaven without God. 

The apostle Paul writes,

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—

and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 

not by works, so that no one can boast." 

                                                               Ephesians 2:8,9. 

Are you trying in your own strength to be good enough to get into heaven?

If so you’ll never be good enough to get into heaven. 

The apostle Paul writes,

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: 

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” 

                                                                     Romans 5:8.

Why not accept the fact that Christ died for your sins. The apostle John wrote,

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1John 1:9

So will you humble yourself before God today, confess your sins directly to God, and accept Christ as your Lord and Saviour today.

Please think about it.

A Criminals Confession

  A Criminals Confession

In the Gospel of Luke we read of this conversation between the two criminals who were crucified with Jesus and Jesus.

Luke records,

"One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" 

But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence?  

We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." 

Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.'" 

Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." Luke 23:39-43.

It has been pointed out to me that the criminal that Jesus said would get to heaven (Paradise) never said the sinners prayer.

I pointed out the sinners prayer isn’t seen in the Bible and that the criminal that believed in Jesus did everything he was called to do to enter heaven.

He believed Jesus was who he claimed to be. And he confessed his sins.

The apostle Paul pointing out,

"That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  

For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. Romans 10:9,10.

The apostle John stating,

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  

If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives." 1John 1:9-10.

Is this you today? 

Do you believe in your heart that Jesus is Lord?

Have you confessed your sins to God?

If you truly did this you are on your way to Heaven.

Please think about it.

Forgive us our sins

  Forgive us our sins,

Jesus taught,

“Forgive us our sins, 

for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.

And lead us not into temptation.' "

                                                             Luke 11:4.

As Christians we should forgive those who sinned against us. Likewise we should be calling on God to forgive our sins daily.

We should also be asking God to lead us away from any temptation that comes our way.

Question.

Are you going to God daily and confessing your sins to Him?

Do you forgive those who sin against you?

Do you ask God to lead you away from any temptation that comes your way?

Please think about it.

About Forgiveness

  About Forgiveness

          In the book of James we read,

“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!”  James 2:12,13.

Are you merciful? Do you forgive those who sin against you? 

Jesus said,

“For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”   Matthew 6:14,15.

As Christians we will have over our lifetime many whom we disagree with. Many people who will sin against us and speak wrongly about us. 

The true test of a Christian is if you can forgive them.

Matthews Gospel records,

“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” 

    Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”     Matthew 18:21,22.

Jesus here wasn’t putting a number on how many times we are to forgive. He didn’t mean forgive 490 times. He meant forgive innumerable times.

C. S. Lewis wrote,

“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.”   C.S. Lewis.

Forgiveness is one of the corner stones of being a Christian.

Please think about it.

No club only Love

  No club only Love

The apostle Paul writes,

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," Romans 3:23

I don’t believe for one minute God is a big old guy standing with a big club ready to hit us if we don’t do what He says.

Quite the contrary I believe what Jesus said of himself as recorded in John’s Gospel,

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16,17.

God loves us and only wants the best for us. That is why He has set before us some rules to live by. Basic rules that will point us to heaven.

Additionally God knew that we are far from perfect and will fail at some point in our life not to be all God wants us to be. Simply put “we sin”. The apostle Paul telling us,

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8.

The apostle John tells us,

"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.” 1John 1:8-10.

Sinning is falling short of what God’s ideals are. 

Thus God knowing that we humans with all our frailties will fall short of His ideas. Knowing that we are powerless to save our self. God showed us how much he loved us by sending His one and Only Son to die for our sins.

The apostle Paul explaining,

“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.  

Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.  

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:6-8.

Do you believe Christ died for your sins?

Have you accepted Christ’s offer of forgiveness?

Please think about it. 

Falling Short

  Falling Short

The apostle Paul writes,

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”  Romans 3:23,24.

As mere mortals we fall short of what God wants for us everyday. That is why we need to come before God often and confess our sort comings, our sins, directly to God.

The apostle John writes, 

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  

If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.” 1John 1:9-10.

Do you do this? Have you ever confessed your sins directly to God?

Please think about it.

If you were the only one

  If we were the only one

The apostle Paul writes,

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

C. S. Lewis noted,

“He died not for men, but for each man. If each man had been the only man made, He would have done no less.” C.S. Lewis.

That, if C. S. Lewis is correct, and I believe he is, means Jesus would have died for you if you were the only person in need of forgiveness of sin.

Thus my question to you is, do you believe Jesus is the Son of God, Saviour of all who believe in Him. 

The apostle Paul states,

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.  Romans 3:23,24

The apostle John states,

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”1John 1:9.

Sinning is falling short of God’s ideal for your life. It’s doing things contrary to God’s commands. We all sin and sin separates us from God. The good news is Christ came to this world to show in human terms how far God would go to bring us back into a right relationship with him.

The apostle Paul stating,

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8.

Later in that same letter to the Romans and through them to us the apostle Paul notes,

"That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  

For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."  

For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,  for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:9-13.

If you have never called on the name of the Lord and confessed you sins directly to Him, will you take some time now to do so?

The choice is yours. God will never impose Himself on you.

So Please at least think about giving your life to God today because even if you were the only person in the world ever to sin, (and you are not) Christ would have died for your sins.

Please think about it.

Unforgiveness

 Unforgiveness 

Jesus in what is commonly known as the Lord Prayer said,

“Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors..... 

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, 

your heavenly Father will also forgive you

 But if you do not forgive men their sins, 

your Father will not forgive your sins.”

                                                      Matthew 6:12,14,15.

Forgiveness is one of those things that can be hard to do. Yet we must. 

C. S. Lewis wrote,

“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable 

because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you." 

                                                                                  C.S. Lewis.

Truth is if you have unforgiveness in your heart. You don’t have peace. And that can tear you up inside. It may even be bad for your health. There are individuals who have many people who have passed through their lives and offended them. Men and women whom they need to forgive.

Forgiving someone who has wronged you can be difficult but we must do it. We must forgive. It’s a commandment from Jesus.

If you consider yourself a Christians a follower of Christ Jesus, do you harbour unforgiveness in your heart for anyone?

If so take a moment to ask God to forgive you. And even if you can’t meet with the person who has wronged you, take time to pray and ask God to accept your prayer for forgiveness. 

Please don’t just think about it. Do it.

Words from two apostles

  Words from two apostles

The apostle John writes,

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  

If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives." 1John 1:9-10.

The apostle Paul tells us,

"That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  

For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."  

For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,  for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" Romans 10:9-13.

Confessing your sin directly to God and accepting His forgiveness is the cornerstone of Christian belief. 

Have you confessed your sin to God?

Please think about it.

A Lesson from the crucifixion of Jesus

 A lesson from the crucifixion of Jesus

“One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 

  But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?  

We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”  

Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’” 

Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” 

                                                                                             Luke 23:39-43.

The above passage of scripture is Luke’s account of a conversation that went on between the two men who were crucified with Jesus and Jesus. 

We see in those two criminals the choice every man and woman upon hearing about Jesus must make.

One man doubting that Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah said to him if you are the Christ, “Save yourself and us!” in other words prove it by getting yourself and us down from these crosses. 

This man wanted tangible proof that Jesus was who he claimed to be. He was thinking in terms of this life. Asking to escape death by Jesus getting them off the cross. This in this man’s mind would prove Jesus was the Messiah. 

What this man didn’t realize that accepting Jesus as the Messiah, the Christ is an act of faith which the other criminal did.

The other criminal said,

“Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?  

We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 

Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’” 

This man did what all people everywhere must do. He accepted by faith that Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah. He then confessed his sins. Admitting he was “getting what his deeds deserved”.

Then he asked Jesus to simply “remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

To which Jesus replied

 “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” 

In other words that man had his sins forgiven and got into heaven.

This is the message Christians everywhere want the world to hear.

The apostle Paul writes,

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23.

Sin is falling short of God’s ideals for your life. We all sin. We all fall short of God’s what God wants us to be. Thus the need to ask God’s forgiveness and help in living a life that is as close to what he wants for you as is humanly possible.

Will you confess your sins directly to God today and accept Christ into you life?

Please think about it.

Justice, Love, Kindness

  Justice, Love, and Kindness

The Prophet Micah said,

“He (God) has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8.

This is for many people hard to do. It’s very easy to see the wrong someone does. Many people who call themselves Christians are quick to point out the sin someone is committing.

This is not what God wants of all those who call themselves Christian. Of those who claim to be true followers of Christ Jesus.

Yes it’s true the apostle Paul said,

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," Romans 3:23.

But you’re not going to win a soul to Christ if you don’t first show justice, love, and kindness to those around you.

When a person sees you love them and do not judge them. It is they will listen to you and the Holy Spirit can work in their lives.

The late evangelist Billy Graham once said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God's job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                                 Billy Graham.

If a person is honest with themselves they will know they are not perfect. They know more than anyone else the mistakes they make. They know they sin Not only that many people hang on and quite often brood over their mistakes.

As Christians it is our job to show Gods love to them and remind them of what the apostle John said,

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."1John 1:9.

If you consider yourself a true follower of Christ Jesus are you doing this?

Please think about it.

Beware of "the Formula"

  Beware of “the formula”

The apostle Peter said,

"And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'" Acts 2:21

Today in North America we have what amounts to a formula for getting into heaven. It consists of a simple prayer that states, 

“Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Saviour.”

The origins of this prayer are debated. Some claim it came out of the early protestant revival movement while others say it came from the late eighteenth century revival movement. While others place it in the early twentieth century. 

Irrespective of when it originated it does not originate from biblical times.

The late British/American evangelist Leonard Ravenhill said of the prayer,

“The sinners prayer has sent more people to hell than all the bars in America.” Leonard Ravenhill

And he’s probably right. The prayer had become so ingrained into North American Christianity that it gives a false sense of security.

We don’t see such a prayer in the Bible. What we see is what the apostle Peter states in the Book of Acts, “And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved”

We see the apostle Paul writing,

"That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  

For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.  Romans 10: 9,10.

This is what happened on the day Jesus was crucified. One of the men crucified with Jesus said,

"We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." 

Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.'" 

Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." Luke 23:41-43.

There was no formula. Jesus did not ask the criminal to pray the prayer of salvation. It was simpler than that.

This criminal believed Jesus was who He said He was. And proclaimed it with his lips. Admitted his sin and simply asked Jesus to remember him when He came into His kingdom.

This is what God asks all of us today. 

He asks that we confess our sins to God.

He asks that we sincerely believe in our heart that Jesus is the Son of God. Saviour of mankind.

And He asks that we confess with out mouth Jesus is Lord.

Have you done this?

Do you truly believe Jesus is the Son of God. The Saviour of mankind. The Way to Heaven?

Please think about it.