How to Accept Jesus as Lord and Savior
Today we will talk about how to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. Many Christians do not know what this means. It is a very personal decision that requires an understanding of who Jesus is and what He has done for us. To accept Jesus is to acknowledge Him as the Son of God who sacrificed Himself for our sins so that we may have eternal life. This journey involves faith, repentance, and a heartfelt commitment. Join me as we meditate on God’s Word and explore this beautiful decision in our lives.
Understanding Who Jesus Is
To accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, we first need to understand who He is. The name “Jesus” comes from the Hebrew name “Yeshua,” meaning “Yahweh is salvation.” This reveals His divine mission: to save humanity from sin. Additionally, the Greek form of His name, “Iesous,” carries the same significance. The historical accounts in the Bible depict Jesus as not only a teacher but as the incarnate Word of God (John 1:14). His life exemplifies love, grace, and truth (John 1:17).
Understanding the nature of Jesus is crucial because it shapes our relationship with Him. Jesus is referred to as the Messiah (Hebrew: Mashiach), meaning “the Anointed One” (Matthew 16:16). Throughout the Old Testament, prophecies foretold of His coming, and these were fulfilled in the New Testament through His birth, life, death, and resurrection (Isaiah 7:14; Luke 2:11). By accepting Jesus, we acknowledge Him as the fulfillment of God’s promise for redemption.
In John 14:6, Jesus declares, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” This statement emphasizes that acceptance of Christ is exclusive; it’s not about religion but a relationship. Understanding who Jesus is shapes our faith as we begin to recognize our need for Him as our Redeemer (Romans 10:13) and Lord (Philippians 2:11).
The Need for Salvation
Before we can truly accept Jesus, it’s important to comprehend the concept of sin and our need for salvation. Sin entered the world through Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:1-19), and the consequences affected all of humanity (Romans 5:12). According to Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” This means we are all in need of a Savior. Recognizing our sinfulness is the first step toward repentance.
The Greek word for sin, “hamartia,” means to miss the mark. In a spiritual sense, when we live outside of God’s will, we miss the purpose for which we were created. Understanding the gravity of sin helps us realize the necessity of a savior — someone to bridge the gap between us and God (1 Timothy 2:5). Jesus fulfills this role as our Savior, taking the punishment for our sins upon Himself (Isaiah 53:5).
Salvation is not just about avoiding punishment; it’s about being restored to a right relationship with God (2 Corinthians 5:18). Ephesians 2:8-9 emphasizes that grace, not works, saves us, “…for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” This foundational understanding of grace brings us to a heart of gratitude and humility as we prepare to accept Jesus.
The Role of Faith
To accept Jesus as our Savior, we must exercise faith. Faith is not merely intellectual assent; it’s placing trust in Jesus and what He accomplished through His death and resurrection. Hebrews 11:1 explains, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Our faith connects us to the promises of God and allows us to enter into a personal relationship with Jesus.
John 3:16 illustrates the heart of God’s plan: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Belief in Jesus requires us to accept Him fully, trusting in His sacrifice and resurrection as the basis for our salvation (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). This trust also involves a willingness to rely on Him for guidance and strength in our daily lives (Proverbs 3:5-6).
The Greek word for faith, “pistis,” conveys both a belief and confident trust. This is the kind of faith that Jesus desires from us. The story of Peter walking on water (Matthew 14:29-31) illustrates how faith can enable us to do the impossible when we focus on Jesus and not our doubts. Accepting Jesus involves surrendering our fears and uncertainties into His capable hands.
Repentance: A Heart Change
Another essential aspect of accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior is repentance. The term “repentance” comes from the Greek word “metanoia,” which means to have a change of mind and heart. It signifies a turning away from sin and a turning toward God. Throughout scripture, repentance is outlined as a necessary condition for salvation (Luke 13:3, Acts 2:38).
In Acts 3:19, it says, “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out…” Repentance is more than just feeling sorry for our sins; it involves a sincere desire to change and live according to God’s will. Jesus calls us to take up our cross and follow Him (Matthew 16:24), which requires an intentional shift in our priorities and actions in alignment with His teachings.
As we turn away from sin, we embrace God’s grace and forgiveness through Jesus (1 John 1:9). This beautiful exchange of our brokenness for His wholeness reflects the heart of the Gospel. It allows us to invite Jesus into every aspect of our lives and grants us His peace (Philippians 4:7) and joy (John 15:11).
Confession of Faith
Accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior involves making a public confession of our faith. Romans 10:9-10 states, “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” This confession serves as a declaration of our belief and commitment to follow Him (Matthew 10:32).
Confession can take many forms, including prayer, baptism, and being part of a church community. Publicly acknowledging our faith shows the world that we are not ashamed of Jesus (Mark 8:38). Through baptism, we symbolize our identification with Jesus in His death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:4). It’s an important step in our walk with Him.
Creating a lifestyle that reflects our acceptance of Jesus involves living out our faith authentically, aligning our actions with our beliefs (James 2:26). This may lead us to share our testimonies, serve others, and spread the Good News (Matthew 28:19-20). Every believer is called to be a light in the world (Matthew 5:14), shining brightly with the love of Christ.
Living Out Our Faith
Accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior is only the beginning of our journey as Christians. It leads us into a relationship with Him that transforms our lives from the inside out (2 Corinthians 5:17). We must continually seek to grow in our faith through prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17), studying the Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16-17), and participating in Christian community (Hebrews 10:24-25).
Spiritual growth involves developing the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), which reflect the character of Christ within us. With Jesus at the center, we learn to love others, practice kindness, and show patience in our relationships. Through our obedience to His Word (John 14:15), we allow the Holy Spirit to guide and empower us (Acts 1:8) in living a life that honors God.
As we navigate life’s challenges, we find comfort in knowing that accepting Jesus brings us into fellowship with God, where we can experience His presence and guidance (Psalm 23:4). We are called to trust in Him with all our hearts, surrendering our worries and anxieties (Philippians 4:6-7). Each day becomes an opportunity to grow in faith, share the love of Christ, and reflect His light in a world that needs hope and redemption.
Final Thoughts
Accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior is a beautiful journey rooted in understanding His love for us. It requires recognizing our need for salvation, having faith in Him, repenting from our sins, and publicly confessing our belief. This path transforms us from the inside out, allowing us to grow in faith and live according to His teachings.
As we embrace our relationship with Jesus, we invite His presence into our lives. Our choices, thoughts, and actions are guided by His love, as we strive to share that love with those around us. This act of acceptance doesn’t merely change our destinies; it shapes our daily lives and the way we interact with others, providing us with hope and a purpose.
Let us commit to this journey together, continually learning and growing in our faith, encouraging one another as we walk hand-in-hand with our Savior, and spreading the good news of His love to the world.
Further Reading
30 Bible Verses About Getting Closer To God (With Commentary)
30 Bible Verses About Removing People From Your Life (With Commentary)
30 Bible Verses About Israel (With Explanation)
30 Bible Verses About Being Lukewarm (With Explanation)
4 Ways to Encounter Grace and Truth: A Study on John, Chapter 4