The sinner's prayer is a composite of various scriptures, which is prayed to lead a repentant sinner, to the Lord Jesus Christ, after they have
heard the preaching of the Gospel (see study on; 'the Gospel'), and have believed the truth that Jesus is real and really did die on the cross for as payment for the sins of mankind, was buried, and arose again from the dead. It has become standard practise
to have a repentant sinner repeat various versions of this prayer, after those "leading them to Christ".
The sinner's prayer is a prayer of thanksgiving, calling upon the name of the Lord Jesus;
in a confession of repentance; a recognition that we are unrighteous sinners and need God's righteousness; that we believe
that Jesus died upon the cross to pay for our sins with His blood; that God gloriously raised Him from the dead, and that He is the Christ, the Son of the living God; that He is the Lord; it is a supplication to ask Him into our lives
and into our hearts, to lead us and guide us, to be born again, and help us to follow Him all the days of our lives, in Spirit and in truth, unto the salvation
of our souls.
Many versions of this prayer have been repeated by multitudes who have come to the Lord
Jesus and have received the sacrifice of His precious blood as redemption for their sins; and who have joined, and continue in fellowship with, those of like beliefs.
The sinner's prayer
is based upon the following scriptures.
Rom.10.8 But what saith it ? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thine heart: that is the word of faith,
which we preach; 9 That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has
raised him from the dead, you shall be saved. 10 For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference
between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall
call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Acts 2.21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call upon the name of the
Lord shall be saved.
This prayer may be prayed by any who believe the gospel, and are convicted that they are sinners, need God's righteousness, and
are aware that there will be a judgement; any who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.It may be prayed alone, or in company, or as led by other believers; as long as it is sincere.
How valid is the theology behind telling those who have repeated the sinner's prayer, that they are saved and born again ?
Our prayer and confession must be sincere and true, and our belief (Gk: pisteuo; faith), living faith; otherwise we are in danger of the leaven of the Pharasees;
hypocrisy.
If we confess with our mouth the Lord Jesus, and then do not thereafter obey Him, He is not our Lord, our confession is false, and we are taking the name of the Lord in vain, and in vain shall call upon Him on the day of judgement, "Lord, Lord."
If we believe in our heads, and not in our hearts, that God has raised Him from the dead, we will not die to self, we will not forsake everything that we have for His sake; we
will not strive to enter in at the strait gate; nor labour to enter into His rest; nor work out our own salvation with fear and trembling; nor take up our cross daily and follow Him: and so will not be saved.
Many, who have said "the sinner's prayer", shall call upon the name of the Lord on the
day of judgement, and will not be saved, because He is not their Lord, because they did not obey Him in love, and living faith, nor
worship Him in Spirit and in truth.
Mt.7.21 Not every one that says unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of
heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many shall say to me in that day, Lord,
Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name ? and in thy name have cast out devils ? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then I will profess unto them, I never knew you:
depart from me, you that work iniquity.
(Iniquity:
Strongs; in Matthew, anomia:- illegality, violation of law. In Luke, adikia:- injustice, unjustness, not justified).
What law have these workers of iniquity broken that would cause them to be rejected by the Lord ?
The law of faith.
They were not justified by faith,
because their faith is not living faith, but dead faith,
or blind faith. (see study on 'Faith toward God', in 'First Principles').
They had not been obeying God through living faith,
but using the Word of God, and the name above all names, and "believing"
for things to happen; through worldly faith, positive mental attitude, visualisation, and profession. Many of the things which they have professed and "believed for", come to pass, as attested to in Mt.7.22; because they are using the Word of God, and the name of Jesus;
but they are not followers of the ever-present Living Word in Spirit
and in truth, but are followers of their differing denominational doctrines about the written word.
These many workers of iniquity spoken of by Jesus in Mt.7.21-23, are opperating in the gifts of the Holy Spirit, (which are without repentance), and so are baptized in the
Holy Spirit, and would consider themselves saved; and therefore they are not trying to work out their own salvation
with fear and termbling, through the works of faith;
but are deceived into believing that they are already saved by grace without works; and because they
have said the sinners prayer, and been baptized.
If
we think we have faith in God, and then do not obey Him, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
What of Ephesians
2.8 and 9 ?
Eph.2.8 For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
These works are works of the law.
Ro.3.27 Where is boasting then ? It is excluded. By what law ? of works
? No. but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law (of works).
There is a huge difference between the works of the law, and the works of faith.
If we keep any part of the law, that was abolished on the cross (see study on 'Law
and Commandments'), we will be judged by all of the law; but if we do not do the works of faith, we will be cast out in the
day of judgement.
[We are saved by grace through faith. (see study on: 'How
are we saved?').]
The law of faith is: "Faith works by love".
Gal.5.5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith .
6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision avails anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which works by love. (Agape love).
Jn.14.15 If you love me, keep
my commandments.
1Jn.5.3a For this is the love of God,
that we keep his commandments.
Is Jesus our Lord
if we do not obey Him ? No.
Ro.4.16 Therefore it is of faith that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all.
Faith must
have works to be the faith of Abraham. Abraham obeyed God.
Ro.4.2 For if Abraham
were justified by works (of the Law), he has whereof to glory; but not before God.
Ja.2.20 Was not Abraham justified by works (of faith),
when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar ?
We cannot
be justified by works of the law; neither can we be justified without the works of faith.
Ja.1.22 But be you doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
Mt.7.21 Not everyone that says to me Lord, Lord,
shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but they that do the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Ph.2.12
Wherefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation
with fear(of ther Lord) and trembling (at His Word).
Ro.8.24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen
is not hope: for what a man sees, why does he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for what we see not, then we do with patience wait
for it.
Mt.24.13 But they that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be
saved.
1Pet.1.9 Receiving the end of your faith even the
salvation of your souls.
1Pet.1.2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the
blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you and peace be multiplied.
It can be seen that justification is by obedience; the work of living faith.
That salvation is of hope, to those who do the will of our Father; the doers of the Word, that endure to the end;
those who work out their own salvation with fear and trembling; those true worshipers who worship the Father in Spirit and in truth, who follow the ever-present
Living Word of God, Jesus Christ. (see study on 'Resting in the Lord'.)
Not to those who merely say "the sinner's prayer",
and continue attending church.
The Way to salvation must be taught unto those who pray "the Sinner's Prayer".
Many have come to Jesus, but do not see (see www.gospel-songs.info 'Come and
See').
many are called, but
few are chosen.
The finished work of the cross is Redemption.
The end of living faith is Salvation.
Fear
God.
Love God.
Follow Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Obey Him.
Pray for His help to do God's will.
To worship Him in Spirit and in Truth.
Live continuously in His presence.
Live forever.
To God be the Glory.