So Close, Yet So Far
"If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9)
Can I share something personal with you? When I was twelve, I thought I had it all figured out. I'd been baptized, I could pray beautifully, I had memorized Scripture verses, and I was actively involved in church. I even won an award for "packing the pews" during revival week!
But there was this unsettling feeling in my heart. During that revival, I tried to share Christ with my best friend Charlie using all the Scripture I had memorized. When I asked him, "Have you ever had a one-time experience where you acknowledged your sin, repented, and placed your faith in Christ?" he stopped me and asked, "No, have you?"
I looked at him and said, "No!"
That's when it hit me like a lightning bolt. I had been sprinkled, dunked, and I'd taken communion countless times, but I had never actually given my life to Christ. I knew all about Him, but I didn't know Him personally. I was so close, yet so far away.
The next day, I rode my bike to church, found the Minister of Music in his office, and told him my story. He simply said, "Do you know what to do?" When I said yes, he replied, "Well then, do it."
I got down on my knees and, for the first time in my life, truly invited Christ to take total charge of my life. The freedom I felt was unlike anything I'd ever experienced. I rode home singing at the top of my lungs, making up words to songs because I had never felt so clean and acceptable.
Here's my question for you: Do you know about Jesus, or do you know Jesus? There's a world of difference. Many people will miss heaven by about twelve inches—the distance between your head and your heart. Don't let that be you.
Can I share something personal with you? When I was twelve, I thought I had it all figured out. I'd been baptized, I could pray beautifully, I had memorized Scripture verses, and I was actively involved in church. I even won an award for "packing the pews" during revival week!
But there was this unsettling feeling in my heart. During that revival, I tried to share Christ with my best friend Charlie using all the Scripture I had memorized. When I asked him, "Have you ever had a one-time experience where you acknowledged your sin, repented, and placed your faith in Christ?" he stopped me and asked, "No, have you?"
I looked at him and said, "No!"
That's when it hit me like a lightning bolt. I had been sprinkled, dunked, and I'd taken communion countless times, but I had never actually given my life to Christ. I knew all about Him, but I didn't know Him personally. I was so close, yet so far away.
The next day, I rode my bike to church, found the Minister of Music in his office, and told him my story. He simply said, "Do you know what to do?" When I said yes, he replied, "Well then, do it."
I got down on my knees and, for the first time in my life, truly invited Christ to take total charge of my life. The freedom I felt was unlike anything I'd ever experienced. I rode home singing at the top of my lungs, making up words to songs because I had never felt so clean and acceptable.
Here's my question for you: Do you know about Jesus, or do you know Jesus? There's a world of difference. Many people will miss heaven by about twelve inches—the distance between your head and your heart. Don't let that be you.
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1 Comment
There was a time in my life that I had done what I needed to be saved. But I felt like I was a puzzle with a piece missing. Another Christian helped me realize what I needed to do to have my salvation secure. I turned my life over to Jesus on the way to work on the next day. What a joy I have now.