I Have Never Been a Christian

This might come as a surprise to many people who have known me for a long time.

But...

I have never been a Christian.

I know it's shocking.

Let me tell you my story.

When I was sixteen, I was on a choir tour mission trip with my fellow Boys Ranchers to a drug rehab center for teenagers in Vernon, Texas.

That evening after we presented the Gospel through music, I was able to share Jesus with one particular young man. I even gave him my new, shiny Bible. I was thrilled to say the least to know I had the opportunity to lead this person to Christ.

That night as we were traveling back to Boys Ranch, I was sitting in my bus seat and someone had placed a Gospel tract on my seat. I flipped it open and began to read. As I read, the Holy Spirit convicted my of my sin and for the first time in my life, I realized I was a sinner and I was destined for an eternity separated from God.

You see, I was a good kid--ask anyone in my high school. I didn't cause a lot of problems. I went to the church on campus. I was a good kid.  I even went to church camp four years earlier where I walked the aisle.  But the main reason was not surrender to Jesus, but to get a date. I know--how desperate!  

I was a good kid separated from God.

God spoke through His Word in Romans 6:23, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

I was living in sin, but there was a way out. That night on that greyhound bus, (Which Boys Ranchers remembers the big greyhound bus?), I surrendered my life to Christ.

But here's what I didn't become. I didn't become a Christian. I didn't become an American Christian.

I truly believed that my life belonged to Christ and my life belonged to Him.  I repented of my sins and gave Jesus the key to my life.

I became a living sacrifice believer.

You see, I never bought into the religious system of American Christianity where it comes down to doing my time in church, being a good person,  and going through the motions. My life wasn't compartmentalized.

Again, if you ask 5 people what a Christian is, you will get five different definitions of a Christian. Everybody has their own view.

If you ask, "Are you saved?", most people will say yes. But the more important question is "Does Christ Live in You?" Before I became a living sacrifice Christian, I would have told you I was saved according to American Christianity.

Is there evidence that Christ lives in you? Please read 1 John.

(Check out Romans 12 of what the definition of a living sacrifice believer is)

My life was radically changed by the power of Jesus in June of 1990 and I am forever grateful. I remember my hunger and thirst for the Word of God and to share about Jesus.  The very first thing I did after my surrender I shared the Gospel with a trucker when our bus stopped for gas.

Six months later, I gave my first sermon (not that indicates much, but it reflects my desire to proclaim Him) due to the mentoring and discipleship of Steve Singleterry, the chaplain at Cal Farley's.  Not just this fruit, but Galatians 5:22 fruit was happening in my life: love, JOY, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, self-control and more.  My life was changing from the inside out.

What about you? Are you an American Christian or are you a living sacrifice believer?

"Why don't you understand what I say?  Because you cannot listen to my word.  You are of your Father the devil, and you want to carry out your fathers desires.....This is why you don't listen, because you are not from God."  John 8:42-47

I had such a hard time reading and understanding  the Bible before I got saved.  Not because i had a learning disability, but the Holy Spirit did not live in me.  I loved the world more than Jesus and his Word.  There was a veil over my life that I could not see, hear or understand the Words of God until I surrendered my life to Jesus and died to myself on the altar. 

It wasn't until I became a believer, that I understood, but I also thirsted for the very words of God.  His words became a lamp unto my feet.

Do you have a hard time reading or listening to the Bible?  Could it be that you have not put yourself on the altar as a living sacrifice?

Please consider where you stand.  I would love to help you answer any questions. 

​Your eternity is at stake.