It is more than walking an aisle

In the 1950s, most conservative Baptist churches had revival services, emphasizing the horrors of hell. Unfortunately, in my church, there were no evangelism classes so there was little understanding of inherited sin or that salvation is through faith in Jesus. There was no understanding that faith in Jesus for salvation requires living a life fully surrendered to Jesus.

So, as a 10-year-old boy, I walked the aisle in Pine Bluff AR – Olive Street Baptist Church. I had been in church since I was born, and the pastor assumed that I knew everything I needed to know about salvation; I do not remember him asking any questions.

And I was as lost leaving the church as I was when the service began.

Beginning in my teenage years, I sensed something about my spiritual life was not right. When I was 40, J. Harold Smith, a “hell-fire and brimstone” preacher visited First Baptist-Beaumont TX for our revival. His sermon “Three Decisions” scared me, and I “walked the aisle” once again. There were no questions asked since I was a deacon and a Sunday School teacher.

In my 50s, I was a recovering workaholic with little church activity. I did not pray, nor did I read the Bible. And, I still did not have spiritual peace. When I heard pastors preach on salvation, I would remember walking the aisle as a 10-year-old boy and being rebaptized when I was 40; I assumed the sermon was for someone other than me.

After moving to Raleigh, Mary and I joined Bethlehem Baptist Church in 2006. I resumed my involvement in church and began to “work hard for God.” We became active in Church Renewal Journey, and I still remember my first 6-minute testimony when I said something like, “I accepted Jesus as my Savior when I was 10 years old but did not commit to Him until I was 60.” Nothing in that sentence was true, I was not saved at the age of 10 when I walked the aisle because I never fully committed to Jesus. I was going through the rituals but not a true believer.

 I was 65 years old and still lost.

Finally, in 2016, I fully committed to Jesus as Savior and as my Lord. I told Him “The answer is Yes no matter the question.” I remember the next weekend when I told the small congregation in a church in western North Carolina that I had been a fake all my adult life and had only recently fully committed to Jesus. There was total silence.

I now know that there is an enormous difference between knowing about Jesus and knowing Jesus – the difference between an eternal life with Jesus or an eternal life with Satan.

During the pandemic I spent extra time reading the Bible, praying, and hearing online teaching at multiple churches - McLean Bible Church, David Platt; Long Hollow Baptist Church, Robby Gallaty; Austin Stone Community Church, multiple pastors; Summit Church, JD Greear, and Bethlehem Baptist Church, George Fox. I finally stopped my life and listened to God as He convicted, convinced, and encouraged me in four areas:

    1.   Baptism is important – in the proper sequence and for the right reason.

    2.   Many of my attitudes in the areas of racism, sexism, and classism, and nationalism were sinful. God has forgiven me and emboldened me to speak out when I see injustice.

    3.   Making disciples includes modeling the character of Jesus and verbally sharing the Good News that committing to Jesus is the better way to live, now and forever.

    4.   God is in control, and I do not have to worry about the future.

There is one remaining problem: I was baptized before I was saved. So, at the age of 75, I will be baptized next Sunday morning. I feel awkward and foolish, but that is ok.

I thank God that he never gave up on me, and I thank each person who had a positive influence on my spiritual journey. I have no doubts, today, about salvation and where I will spend eternity. I have contentment and joy that I did not know prior to saying “Yes.” I am still growing. To the best of my ability, I now allow the Holy Spirit to work through me.

 My lifegoal is to finish the plan God created for me long ago.