Background of my salvation
I grew up with a basic understanding of God. My parents quit going to church when I was about 7 years old. I am thankful that I had at least the foundation laid of church and the bible. I can remember hearing all of the basic stories and different churches that my family attended when I was a young child. However, between the ages of 7 and 16 I may have attended a church a handful of times. Carnality naturally sank in and took over my parents, siblings and of course myself.
I was still taught manners and how to be polite. I thought of myself as a "nice guy" and my elders thought of me as a young gentlemen. I did well in school and ran around with the "popular" crowd. Yet, no one invited me to church, no one took the time to share the gospel with me and tell me that I was on the path to hell. If anyone asked I would say that I was a Christian but, in all actuality I was not, and I did not even comprehend what it meant to be a true Christian. God called me first when I was 16, a co-worker shared some lyrics with me of a Christian rapper. He talked to me little by little and then invited me to church. The fire was kindled.
I started attending church every Sunday, I got all excited about the message each week. However, I did not read my bible, I still took part in partying and the ways of the world. In short, I still was not saved. my co-worker turned more into a mentor and it was the first time I felt like I could be completely open about what I was taking part of in the world. He tried to correct me and I did not heed his words. I was stubborn and did not listen to God calling me.
My mentor disappeared on a long term mission trip, and I... Well I kept on doing what I was doing before he came into my life, but now I was bitter. I would still tell people that I was a Christian but really all I was, was a hypocrite. I went on to college, unsaved and wild in my ways. There were many times through the first few years of my college career where I felt God calling me to change my ways and accept him as my savior, but it took a tragic turn in my life to actually soften my heart enough to accept him as my savior.
I was awoke out of my sleep and was handcuffed for reasons that were unknown to me. I was booked and thrown into a cell. I spent those early morning hours not knowing what I was there for. I was clueless, afraid, and felt alone. As I sat on the floor of the cell, with 20 others, and in the hard chairs during time out of the cell, I prayed and cried out to God. God was telling me, okay, NOW are you going to listen to my calling? Now are you going to accept the gift of salvation? Now are you going to read my word? Now are you going to change your ways? Now are you going to walk with me and allow me to guide you?
My answer was finally yes. Yes Lord, forgive me of my sins, I am a sinner, I cannot live life without you. And I cannot go to heaven by my actions, I am not good enough to get into heaven. I am nothing without you. Without you I am bound for hell. Jesus I know that you died for my sins and I accept you as my Lord and savior. You are the only way to heaven. Please take control over my life.
From that point forward God took control of everything. When I was picked up by my parents (18 or so long hours later) to take me home, a seven hour drive, I stayed in my room for days and read my bible. I did not eat, I just read my bible and slept. God took care of delivering me from the jail cell, God took care of my court case, God led me to live the life I have since then. Jesus Christ saved me from more than this worldly trouble, Jesus Christ saved my soul from eternal damnation. I owe my all to Jesus Christ. I was twenty-one and finally saved by the grace of God, finally accepted his free gift of eternal salvation.
So I invite you on this journey with me, to challenge yourself, week by week, day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute, yeah even second by second, to follow Christ. To live life as he has called us to, and most importantly, if you have not done so yet, accept Christ as your Lord and Savior. Because we all fall short of the glory of God, and all are in need of the salvation provided through Jesus Christ.
I was still taught manners and how to be polite. I thought of myself as a "nice guy" and my elders thought of me as a young gentlemen. I did well in school and ran around with the "popular" crowd. Yet, no one invited me to church, no one took the time to share the gospel with me and tell me that I was on the path to hell. If anyone asked I would say that I was a Christian but, in all actuality I was not, and I did not even comprehend what it meant to be a true Christian. God called me first when I was 16, a co-worker shared some lyrics with me of a Christian rapper. He talked to me little by little and then invited me to church. The fire was kindled.
I started attending church every Sunday, I got all excited about the message each week. However, I did not read my bible, I still took part in partying and the ways of the world. In short, I still was not saved. my co-worker turned more into a mentor and it was the first time I felt like I could be completely open about what I was taking part of in the world. He tried to correct me and I did not heed his words. I was stubborn and did not listen to God calling me.
My mentor disappeared on a long term mission trip, and I... Well I kept on doing what I was doing before he came into my life, but now I was bitter. I would still tell people that I was a Christian but really all I was, was a hypocrite. I went on to college, unsaved and wild in my ways. There were many times through the first few years of my college career where I felt God calling me to change my ways and accept him as my savior, but it took a tragic turn in my life to actually soften my heart enough to accept him as my savior.
I was awoke out of my sleep and was handcuffed for reasons that were unknown to me. I was booked and thrown into a cell. I spent those early morning hours not knowing what I was there for. I was clueless, afraid, and felt alone. As I sat on the floor of the cell, with 20 others, and in the hard chairs during time out of the cell, I prayed and cried out to God. God was telling me, okay, NOW are you going to listen to my calling? Now are you going to accept the gift of salvation? Now are you going to read my word? Now are you going to change your ways? Now are you going to walk with me and allow me to guide you?
My answer was finally yes. Yes Lord, forgive me of my sins, I am a sinner, I cannot live life without you. And I cannot go to heaven by my actions, I am not good enough to get into heaven. I am nothing without you. Without you I am bound for hell. Jesus I know that you died for my sins and I accept you as my Lord and savior. You are the only way to heaven. Please take control over my life.
From that point forward God took control of everything. When I was picked up by my parents (18 or so long hours later) to take me home, a seven hour drive, I stayed in my room for days and read my bible. I did not eat, I just read my bible and slept. God took care of delivering me from the jail cell, God took care of my court case, God led me to live the life I have since then. Jesus Christ saved me from more than this worldly trouble, Jesus Christ saved my soul from eternal damnation. I owe my all to Jesus Christ. I was twenty-one and finally saved by the grace of God, finally accepted his free gift of eternal salvation.
So I invite you on this journey with me, to challenge yourself, week by week, day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute, yeah even second by second, to follow Christ. To live life as he has called us to, and most importantly, if you have not done so yet, accept Christ as your Lord and Savior. Because we all fall short of the glory of God, and all are in need of the salvation provided through Jesus Christ.
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