View source for If we accept Jesus as Saviour

<p><strong>If we accept Jesus as Saviour,can we then sin all we want?</strong></p>
<p>Being saved is not accomplished by reciting a few special words.</p>
<p>We do not say a magic phrase and become saved.</p>
<p>We do not merely say, "Jesus please forgive me" and suddenly all of our sins are automatically wiped away simply because we uttered a special sentence. It isn't a formula for salvation or an incantation that somehow cleanses us and then permits us go out and sin.</p>
<p>The Bible says, "What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace might increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?" (Rom 6:1-2). Salvation is an appeal to God for cleansing and forgiveness. This appeal is a heartfelt confession of sin and an acceptance of Jesus' sacrifice on our behalf. It is simultaneous with sincere repentance (2 Tim. 2:25; 2 Cor. 7:10)</p>
<p>To receive Jesus in our hearts mean we have first acknowledged that we are sinners and that we are incapable of saving ourselves or of appeasing God in any way. We acknowledge before God that we are helpless and worthy of damnation. But with this, we also acknowledge that Jesus is the one who paid the penalty for our sins. We realise that there is no possible way that we can make things right with God by our own works.</p>
<p>When we accept Jesus as our Saviour we are accepting the call to repentance from sin. God then calls us His children: "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name," (John 1:12). The Bible says that Jesus bore our sins in his body on the cross (1 Peter 2:24) and that salvation is a free gift we receive by faith (Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:8-9).</p>
<p>When we accept Jesus, we are accepting the sacrifice of Jesus for our sins, by faith. We are trusting Jesus alone for salvation. When we do this, the Holy Spirit lives in us. Since the Holy Spirit convicts of of sin, righteousness, and judgement (John 16:8) we then seek to please God and avoid sin. It is a natural result of being saved. So no, accepting Jesus does not mean that we can then go out and sin. It means we have turned from sin.</p>
<p>SCRIPTURES QUOTED</p>
<p>"What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace might increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?" (Rom 6:1-2). "For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation; but the sorrow of the world produces death," (2 Cor. 7:10). "with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth," (2 Tim. 2:25).</p>
<p>"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name," (John 1:12). "and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed." (1 Peter. 2:24). "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord," (Rom. 6:23).</p>
<p>"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast," (Eph. 2:8-9). "And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin, and righteousness, and judgement," (John 16:8).</p>
<p><span>Copyright by Matthew J. Slick, 1998. All rights reserved</span></p>
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