I’ve heard it said that a good Christian gets saved at least 75 times in their life, now of course we know there is no such a thing as a “good” Christian and you only need to pray for salvation once but this question is still very relevant.
So many people are stuck at the cross, asking for salvation every Sunday that they forget to move on to Pentecost. After Jesus died and rose from the dead he stayed with his disciples and appeared to many people for 40 days. He taught that everyone can now be saved through him. Believing that he died on the cross for your sins and rose again, is now enough to be saved. No more continual sacrifice of animals because the ultimate lamb had already been sacrificed. Before he ascended into heaven he told them the Holy Spirit would now be with them to guide his followers. The disciples were met with the Holy Spirit and they continued to teach people about Jesus for the rest of their days. (Read Acts 2 for a more in-depth story)
The important lesson in that story is that Jesus’s death and resurrection made salvation a very simple gift we only need to receive once. The disciples did not stay mourning their sin, since their debt of sin had already been paid. They moved on by using the gifts God gave them to teach others about him. If we continue to keep getting saved, becoming fixated on needing to pray the salvation prayer then that can hold us back on doing the amazing things God has planned for our ministry. I used to feel like I wasn’t good enough or I sinned throughout the week so I had to keep praying for God to come into my heart so I could go to heaven. Then I realized I will never be enough and that is the whole point on why Jesus had to die. He died in our place, knowing we could never be good enough for heaven. But the good news is, God wants us in heaven, he longs to be with his creation and that is why he sent his son and then the Holy Spirit. We do not have to worry about Jesus loving us any less if we mess up or backslide. Do not feel tethered to the cross, you left your sin there do not look back. Is it a beautiful thing to reflect on the cross and what Jesus did for us? Absolutely, but the purpose of the cross was to convict and redeem us not hold us in our old life.
Romans 6:6 says, "For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin."
Jesus moved on from the cross, he is no longer there so why are you? Do not get stuck looking for the sin you left at the foot of the cross, once you are saved you can be free of those chains. Say the salvation prayer once, mean it, believe it, and live it. When you have bad days and struggles, pray to God for strength to move on from the sin that no longer has to have a hold on you. That is why the cross is enough.
Hebrews 13:20-21, "Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen"
Bonus Question: Wondering how to be a “good” Christian? If you are seeking God’s will then you are good. That may look different for each person which why it is important not to compare or use that terminology. For some following, his will may be mustering up the courage to go back to church after they were hurt. For others, it could be preaching the word because that is their call. It is all relative and if you feel convicted to change then that could be the Holy Spirit nudging you to follow God’s direction for your life.
Sources: NIV Bible translation, 2017 Summit notes: Heather Stemple sermon Referenced.