I was a carnal Christian most of my life. My mum always brought God into anything I was doing or experiencing. This led me to a position of significant respect for God. I was very active in Church activities. In College, I chaired the Interdenominational worship service. I got married to my wife in 1979 in the Church with Rev. Selfridge, a respected pastor, getting Annie and I to tie the knot. This all changed in February 1980; that is when I became a new creation in Christ. The scripture says "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation [creature]. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come" 2 Corinthians 5:17.
The following song meant so much thereafter:I'm a new creation, I'm brand new man All things are passed away, I'm born again More than a conqueror, that's who I am I'm a new creation, I'm a brand new man.
I was at Reading University in the United Kingdom at the time. Eric Townsend came and gave a talk at a Students Christian Union meeting one Friday evening. As was my practice, very carnal of course, I went to the meeting to enjoy fellowship with fellow students. I had made a habit of connecting with believers wherever I went. I loved connecting with believers. They are good people. So going to the Students Christian Union meeting was just part of what I used to do. This time, however, God sparked some strange hunger in me.
Eric Townsend talked about "knowing God." His testimony was that he had been a missionary, a pastor, baptized many people, but did not know Christ. He then went on to state that when he accepted Jesus not only as Savior but also as his Lord, when he knew Jesus, everything changed --- the old was gone, he was a new creation. Eric Townsend's talk basically revealed my carnal Christian status. I wanted to get out of this carnality; I wanted to know Jesus.
At the end of the meeting, I went to Eric and asked him to help me know Jesus. He got me by the shoulders, closed his eyes, and started praying loudly, "Lord", then he opened his eyes and asked me "What is your name?" then continued, "Lord, Mike wants to know you, please come into his heart and show him how awesome you are. Amen!" I expected something to happen after Eric's prayer that Friday; nothing. Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday --- nothing happened. I gave up and convinced myself that this knowing of Jesus is a hoax.
And it happened; it was Wednesday. There are many details of what went on in those 4 days and on Wednesday. Christ came into my life and transformed it late that Wednesday night. Praise Him.
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