“Tell of his deeds…to your children and future generations.”

Let me tell of the altar call, during the time when a sinner knew he was a sinner.

Mr. Sinner found himself in church again. He didn’t really want to come, but nothing else seemed to be going on so he decided to drop in on the revival, listen to the singing and see what was going on.

Service moved along and there seemed no real reason to leave. Preacher grabbed his attention, so he sat through the service. Finally he is getting antsy, but he has to sit through one more prayer then he can go outside and get a cigarette…

Oh, a song first…”Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling, calling for you and for me…Why should we linger and heed not his mercy…” Mr. Sinner is getting stressed, he grips the bench seat, his knuckles are getting white. The song continues, “O for the wonderful love he has promised, promised for you and for me. Though we have sinned, he has mercy and pardon, … Come home, come home…”

He feels a sympathizing touch on his shoulder and a voice says, “Jesus is calling for you and for me, let’s go together.” Mr. Sinner lays aside his stubborn will and surrenders to Jesus’ call. It is not easy to toss away a decision made in these circumstances. Being born again (saved) is much more than choosing to turn over a new leaf in one’s behavior.

Just emotion? I think not. I think it was a work of the Holy Spirit.

• .
• However, there is no “pattern” or “formula” to how a person becomes a Christian. I don’t even remember the time I chose Jesus as my Redeemer. I know I did not understand much beyond the fact that Jesus died on the cross so I could live forever with him. Some make that decision in front of a TV, or sick in a hospital room, or by an uplifted hand, or walking forward to speak to a preacher, or calling out after a car wreck. Here is the story of my Granddad Jim “meeting Jesus in the cornfield.” https://onetahayes.com/2015/11/07/meeting-the-lord-in-the-broom-corn-field/

Image: pexels.com Luis Quintero