I can't remember a time when I didn't believe in Jesus Christ. As a child, my parents taught me about Christ, I went to Sunday school each week and truly loved Jesus, but there was still something missing. I had the love of Jesus in my heart, but it wasn't until later in life that I finally gave up control of my life and let God's Holy Spirit take over.
We can have head knowledge about what Jesus did on Calvary, but that knowledge has to become personal because we were created by a relational God. He wants to play a part in our everyday, walking around through the world life.
I was 42 years old when I finally got it!
I had more time on my hands than ever before and was challenged by my pastor to spend an extra five minutes each day reading God's Word. I devoted the first part of each morning to reading the Bible and the Upper Room Devotional book. I started writing down the scriptures that spoke to my heart. I didn't realize it at the time, but I was filling my heart with God's Word and that enabled His Spirit to begin a good work in me.
I can't tell you the exact date, but one day all of the sins I'd ever committed flashed before me and just like Isaiah (Isaiah 6:1-5) I felt completely ruined. It seemed that there was no hope for someone as sinful as me. Repentance was the necessary first step toward a new relationship with God.
Suddenly, the selfless act of Christ dying on the cross took on new, personal meaning for me. He died for my sins - my sins! He didn't have to do it, but His love for me was so great that He chose to cover my sins.
I went to my knees that day in my living room and surrendered my life to Him. My prayers of gratitude seemed to flow for hours. I just kept repeating to God that if I stayed on my knees before Him for the rest of my life, it wouldn't be long enough to thank Him for what He had done for me.
My life was changed, my heart was changed - I was still the same old me, but there was now a lightness within me that is almost impossible to explain. In that short span of time - probably about an hour - I knew that I would never be the same.
God's Holy Spirit had been waiting for me to surrender and now He could guide and direct my paths.
I had an assurance that I would spend eternity with God and it was the most freeing experience of my life.
I don't want to mislead you into thinking that my life has been a bed of roses since that encounter, but from the moment that I surrendered my life to Christ completely, I have felt the presence of God with me through all of life's ups and downs. I'm not in this alone.
There is an old hymn written by Charles Wesley that best expresses this new personal relationship. I want to share the words with you.
And Can It Be?
And can it be that I should gain an intrest in the Saviors blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain?
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be, that Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Long my imprisoned spirit lay.
Fast bound in sin and nature's night: Thine eye diffused a quick'ning ray, I woke, the dungeon flamed with light.
My chains fell off; My heart was free.
I rose, went forth and followed Thee.
Amazing love! How can it be, that Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
If you don't have Christ in your heart, if you haven't really surrendered your life to Him but you'd like to, I suggest you start by reading these verses in Romans 3:23, 6:23, 5:8 and 10:8-10.
After you've asked for forgiveness and have truly repented of your sins, invite God's Spirit to take control of your life. You will never regret it.
Keep reading God's Word because it is your best defense!
