How did you come to give your life to Jesus?

First of all, what a great opportunity to see as we go through this, that others have had similar experiences (although their all unique).

I grew up in church. At a young age, of 4 or 5 I realized that the only way to heaven was through Christ. I was baptized around the age of 8 (on Mother's Day).

After my parent's divorce when I was 11 we stopped going to church. I drifted away. However, I always held the Bible as the word of God and tried to read it. When I was faithful and saw my sins, I usually tried to remedy it.

I also doubted at times because of how I lived, and things I didn't realize Christians struggled with (thought I was a Christian, I shouldn't struggle with sin). But I have matured enough now to realize that my calling and election are secure

 

I was first conned "into giving" at the first Billy Graham event in the old Madison Square Garden. After that, I "gave" on several occasions in several Baptist and P.B. meetings.

I have concluded either that Jesus didn't accept my "gift" or that the concept is flawed and nonbiblical.

 

I grew up in the Anglican Church and Anglican schools (boarding). I went through all the steps of being an Anglican and was a dedicated student of the Bible. At confirmation, I realized Christ as my own personal Saviour, as the vicar had urged us so to do.

Back in London, I began attending a local Plymouth Brethren assembly, but desired the ministry. Since the PB's did not have ministers, I went to the local Baptist Church and then to London Bible College in 1945. I was ordained under the Baptist Union and later served in the military as a chaplain. After Korea went to several seminaries, Bible colleges and university and on to ministry and teaching.

Conversion is all of God and it does take different steps in each individual's life. Mine was a quiet revolution within my own heart, the essence of what confirmation is meant to be. With more than 50 years in ministry, I can attest to God's faithfulness despite our shortcomings and failures. Like the cow in the pasture facing a stone fence. To see the other side she must look beyond the stone fence...her barrier to fresh pastures...So must we look beyond our troubles and shortcomings to see God's marvellous hand.

Cheers,

Jim

Billwald, It is not what we give God, but what God gives us, and He promised the gift of eternal life. We must either receive this gift and believe it, or call God a liar and perish. God bless and I hope you find peace in God.

 

I've shared my conversion story several times but here goes.

I was born into an active Baptist church family and was in church every time the door opened from two weeks old. All of my relatives were Baptists, even my Grandfather Ward who had converted from Judaism and my Grandmother Weldy who was Choctaw Indian.

During VBS, the summer I was 8, I had a very vivid dream. I'd done something wrong that day and my mother was very angry with me. In my dream, Jesus came to me and offered to take my spanking for me. I clearly remember telling Him that I was the bad girl and He should not have to be punished for me. He insisted and then picked up His cross and began to walk up Calvary's Hill. I followed Him, crying and insisting that I was the bad girl.... The next day, in VBS, Dr. Bob Barker, pastor of Chickasaw FBC gave a little sermon to us children on exactly that... how Jesus was willing to pay for our sins. I went forward for salvation counseling but somehow got overlooked. At 3:00 in the afternoon, Bro. Barker came around to shut off the church lights and found me still sitting in the sanctuary waiting for a counselor. He talked with me and we prayed together... and then he drove me home. My parents refused to allow me to be baptized for quite a few months because they didn't believe I knew what I had done but I kept insisting and they finally gave in.

I've been a Christian now for almost 45 years and I praise the Lord for bringing me to His throne at such a young age so that I have been spared so much of the world.

Absolute truth.....