Wisdom DateSample

Repent

At the end of April 1967, our hometown Danville, VA publicized a citywide revival. Churches of different denominations from all over town were cosponsoring this event.

Bill and I attended together the first night before Bill opted out. But I eagerly attended every night. 

On Wednesday evening the evangelist gave his testimony. He had been an alcoholic and God had healed him. I sat there in shocked wonder. I didn’t know God could heal anyone from anything, much less alcoholism.

As the week progressed and I gathered spiritual steam, I came to a strong realization—Bill needed to be saved! So I thought up a plan. On Saturday night I would somehow convince Bill to go back to the revival with me and when the invitation was given, I would go to the altar and rededicate my life. I believed if I did that, he would follow and be saved.

Saturday finally came. I have no idea what the sermon was about that night—I was waiting for the altar call. As soon as it was given, I jumped up and was the first to reach the front of the room. I stopped before the platform and bowed my head.

As I stood there, wondering how to rededicate my life, I was confronted with the person of Jesus Christ. My eyes were closed, but I somehow knew Jesus was standing in front of me. I heard Him say, “You are a sinner.”

That was a shock! I was a faithful church member after all. I had always thought of myself as a good person. But standing transparently before Him, my whole life exposed to His gaze, I knew He was right. Thankfully, I had learned that week how to confess sins. Immediately, I did that and then asked Him to save me. At once I was bathed in warm love from the top of my head to the soles of my feet. I was washed and washed. When this wonderful cleansing experience ended, I knew my sins were gone, and I was white as snow. Running like a refrain through my mind was “They went walking and leaping and praising God!” No one would do such a thing—would they? (I didn’t know this idea was in the Bible.)

When I looked around, I was startled to see so many people at the altar—and Bill was standing right behind me!

After the service those who had responded to the altar call were escorted to another room for personal counseling. We were asked a series of questions to clarify our decision. I readily proclaimed that I was a sinner and knew Jesus had saved me. Bill too confessed that he knew he was a sinner, but he could not believe that God was personal or cared anything about him. During the forty-five-minute discussion that followed, the persistent counselors assigned to him could not convince him otherwise—But I was completely transformed.

When I met Jesus at the altar during the revival, I experienced the One who created me, repented of all that was past, and entered into relationship with Him. After that encounter, Holy Spirit in me continued to teach me about a life in Christ as I obeyed His Word. Jesus is an extremely personal and intensely loving God. He loves you so much. Today’s Scriptures are an encounter with this Jesus, the Author of Our Salvation. Run to Him, dear child.