"So what happens then?"
When you say "Yes!" to Jesus' invitation to save you, you are truly saved. It doesn't matter what you've done before, how good or bad you've been. When you embrace Him, He receives you.
But His work in you is just beginning. When you trust in Jesus, a number of things are happening.
For one, you are aware that you are sinful, and need God's forgiveness. Trusting in Jesus means you are trusting in Him to forgive your sin. It also means you are allowing Him to work in you, to turn away from your old life, your sin, and turning toward God, and relying on Him to do the work in you. This is called "repentance". (Repentance literally means "to change your way of thinking.")
Don't get hung up on the idea, though, like many do, that it's all about pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps, and trying your best to do a better job at being a better person. And by all means, DON'T fall into the trap of thinking that you gotta "fix" yourself before you approach Jesus. Jesus is the one who does the fixing. True repentance means you STOP trying to do it on your own, and START letting Jesus do the work in you...and trusting that He will do it. That is very good news!
Believe in this gift! It really is for you. Believe that He died on the cross for you, and that he rose from the dead to defeat death and give you eternal life! Respond to his invitation, and invite him into your life.
It's not complicated, there's no magic formula or ritual you have to undergo, or card you have to fill out. You don't have to sign on with a church. You simply say, "Yes, Lord Jesus!" |