It's common to hear preachers and everyday Christians alike speak about the need for unbelievers to "accept Jesus into their hearts".
"When I was 17, I accepted Jesus into my heart."
"At Vacation Bible School we had 13 kids accept Jesus into their hearts!"
"If you are ready to accept Jesus into your heart, come to the altar as the worship team plays."
It's a phrase you hear on many lips.
But never see in the Bible.
How do we justify that?
And what does it even mean to "accept" Jesus "into your heart"?
Does anybody know?
As I have read slowly through Matthew and now into Acts, it's hard to miss this fact: the push is never to "accept".
The key word is always "repent".
It seems to me that in a modern American church, it might be possible to be a member for years - even decades - without ever being challenged to repent.
But is it possible to even begin an authentic Christian journey without repentance?
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