My Blog

I can trace my people entering this land now called the USA to 416 years ago. They came willingly, but in flight from religious persecution. Some of your families were already here when mine arrived. Mine facilitated the bringing of some of yours here. Others of you have different stories of how your families arrived here in the USA.

My people were light skinned Europeans. Yours may be different. But, whatever they did, and whoever they were, they are neither you nor me. Nor are they us. Their stories are our stories, but we are not them. We are now a citizen of the United States of America. And as such, it is time for the lines of history to be recognized as history – unchangeable and not able to be lived again history. We cannot give the land back to the first inhabitants. We would not send others back to the places from which they were brought as slaves. Most would not want to go there anyway. Too much time has passed and too much history written for that to be possible.

But we can stop whining. We can stop dividing. We can stop blaming. We can stop believing that we are owed anything because of that history, whether privilege or reparation, and simply be the people of the United States of America. Not throwing our stories away, but writing new stories of struggling and celebrating together to be something great.

We should stand together and celebrate our national identity. We should refuse to join and celebrate those whose attitudes and actions are tearing apart and drawing the lines of division. We should celebrate the things which make us each unique, but not to the extreme of believing those unique things as either superior or inferior to others.

We should be accepting of people from all walks of life even if we have an extreme difference of opinion. We should believe in one another, even when we don’t necessarily like everything we see. When we believe we are right and the other person is wrong, we should have respect for that other person especially when we cannot respect their stories. We should offer respect for them even when they offer none for us. We should stop viewing disagreement as disrespect and hate. Most of it is not. In fact, most of it is not even offered disrespectfully. It is only heard so. Let’s stop looking for things to be hurt over. Let’s stop listening for hate and offense. Let’s stop accentuating our differences and get back together and be strong. While we celebrate our diversity, which is part of our greatness, may we not forget to celebrate our oneness, which is the most significant part of our greatness.

One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

See You SONday,

Dr. SF Gallagher

 

© 2016 Dr. SF Gallagher

The era of the prophets had long past. Those days were distant in the memories of many people. By this time, four hundred years have passed with no new revelation from God. Silence was all that was heard. There was no permanent indwelling of God’s Holy Spirit to help keep things stirring within every man. There were no visions. There was no one speaking fresh words which God had revealed to them. It is likely that there were many by that time who believed there would never be new word from God and that He was just stories from their long and distant past.

The stories were still told though. People still went to synagogue and temple meetings. Children were still taught what the prophets proclaimed. They still celebrated the goodness of God and worshipped His holiness. Perhaps it was growing more difficult to keep these things going, but they did continue. And, it is clear that the promise of Messiah’s coming was not forgotten.

In that day, there was a family which was of the house and lineage of David. It is likely that they took some amount of pride in that fact for everyone knew that it was this line from which Messiah was to come. But, since the time of David who received God’s promise, many branches of that family tree had formed. So many branches in fact that, it could not be even guessed just which family would be the carriers of that promise. One can be sure though that many children learned early in life that it was their family which had been promised to facilitate the messianic coming, and one of them just could be a firsthand participant in God’s plan. Mary could have been part of one of those families, however it was not likely that she thought anything of it since she was not a son and the emphasis was on sons at that time.

But, one day she was just going about being Mary and something wonderful happened. It would have been very unusual for her to have expected anything of the sort. The Biblical indication is that her first reaction was that of fear. That would be normal. For a person to have such an experience was unheard of. It would have been expected even less of a young girl. It can be assumed that there was an extremely large gamut of emotions running through her, even before she heard the news the angel was bringing. This probably continued after the angel had left.

The angel told her that God had big plans for her. The plans were not in any way normal. The plans were of the sort that could carry some extreme consequences from those who did not believe that God was doing this – and many would be available to be the skeptic. God’s plans for her would make her to appear immoral and without proper ethics. Her integrity was on the line and her future, even her life, could be on the line. There was much reason for her heart to be uneasy and her heart to be full of fear.

But, she was sure that this was of God. As all the things the angel told her came to fruition, her whole being must have been drawn toward God and her faith had to be strengthened more with each passing day. Even if there was no one who would understand, she knew that she was right in the middle of God’s work and plan. She also knew that God would protect her through each event that was before her.

That is why her response to the angel was so simple. She did not need to give a response full of detail and explanation. It was just one simple phrase. But it was a phrase that should come from the lips of anyone who encounters a word from God. “Behold, the maidservant of the Lord. Let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38-NKJV). She was probably not aware of most of what this would mean. She must have had no idea that whole world would be different when all of this came to be. But she knew who she was. Mary was “The maidservant of the Lord.”

Mary saw herself as the most intimate servant of her Lord. She was ready to serve her Lord with no reservation. She was in the confidence of God. Her life was His and she wanted to do anything for Him, no matter how menial the task or what her reputation would be as a result. She was His maidservant.

It can be assumed that she was not thinking about Bethlehem, nor angels and shepherds, nor magi, nor Herod’s murderous rampage. She certainly would have no idea that before all was complete, she would witness the barbaric murder of this child she would soon carry. A trip to the tomb of her son with more angelic messages and no corpse could not have been on her mind. It is easily inferred that she had no idea of what was really in store for her and this baby to whom she would give birth. But, even without very much in the way of information, she was ready to have God do these things with and through her. She was His maidservant.

If anyone had reason to try to get out of something, Mary could have been in that group. She could have tried to excuse herself from it. She might have even begged that she would be excused from any part of this plan. Without the benefit of hindsight, no one would blame her for not wanting to be involved. She may have even had thoughts of remorse in the beginning for being so willing to take part, especially as the reality of it all began to sink in. Thoughts that we could not imagine must have gone through her mind. But the Biblical record tells us that when all was in full course, she carried a peace in her heart. She “Pondered” and “Kept” things in her heart. God must have continually given her clarity that He was working His plan through her. She knew that it was all being done according to the word of God. She was His maidservant.

Many people desire this kind of assurance from God. People every day, believing that they are following the plan of God, do so with some amount of restlessness. These have said yes to God and live out their lives working hard to make it all happen. One significant difference exists between these people and Mary. These people work to make things happen. Mary rested in the fact that God would make it happen. These say, “Yes Lord, I’ll do that for You.” Mary said. “Yes Lord, do that through me.” When we are convinced that God is doing the work, even though it is being accomplished with our hands, a peaceful assurance will surely follow.

Mary’s lesson for us is this. Rest on God’s word and know it is His work. Be His servant.

See You SONday,
Dr. SF Gallagher

What She Said

A couple of weeks ago, I was at a public gathering where some very notable people were sharing their work on stage. At one point in the presentation, the wife of the group took to the mic to tell her story. Frankly, I don’t even remember what the story was about except that it was about her husband who “isn’t perfect”. Yup, that is what I got from the story. She said “he’s not perfect” at least 6 times in her 3-minute story. It was my take away from the story which was probably meant to build him up about something.

I am sure that the imperfection of her husband was not the point of her story. And hope and believe she did not mean to berate him. It was just a figure of speech meant to show others that she was not bragging. But why not brag just a little when we are talking about our spouses? Why not let the world know just how perfect they are? Let me tell you this. If there is anything that I find lacking in the slightest amount in my wife, you will never know it, especially not in public with a microphone in my hand. I adore my wife. She is the best wife ever. She is the best mother ever. I can’t imagine ever thinking she is less than perfect because she is perfect for me. I pray this to be the story for you.

My heart hurts for the wife of that preacher husband who starts every preaching time with a derogatory story or remark about his wife. I cringe when I hear a wife speak of her husband as her other child. That goes for our children as well. I think the old saying sums it up well. “If you can’t say something nice – Just shut up!” or something like that anyway.

The follower of Jesus Christ sees this as scriptural. Paul tells the followers of Christ at Ephesus…

Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you (Ephesians 4:29-32 NKJV).

The Christ follower knows that what we say should build others up – especially our families. We know that we are to be kind and tenderhearted to one another – especially our families. The husband is to love his wife as his own body (Ephesians 5:28) and as Christ loved the church and “Gave Himself for it” (Ephesians 5:25). Christ’s followers know that we are not to “Provoke our children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition [correction to cause understanding] of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). We do have a sense of humor and know how to laugh with one another (Proverbs 15:13, 15 & 17:22). We simply must be sure that it is a matter of “With” rather than “At” when we laugh. In following Jesus Christ the Lord, our words, our actions, our facial expressions, and everything else about us should always build up.

I hope this encourages you.

 

See You SONday,

Pastor Steve

 

© 2016 Dr. SF Gallagher

January 1, 2016

This is a blog which should not need to be written. But it seems that this should be said just one more time to the Christian community. It is not that we need a more Godly government, but that we need more Godly Christians.

2 Chronicles 7:14 makes that clear. While just a bit out of context, and just a bit, it makes the point that is I God’s people who need to be right. God did not tell them if the king or the president or the satrap or the governor or the mayor or the city councilman would get it right that He would take care of the other things. He said to His people, of whom He said they were called by His name would get it right, be humble and praying and repentive, these other things would get right.

In fact, the Bible says that every ruler is there because God put him there and that those rulers are “God’s minister” (Romans 13:4) and that they are to be the executors of God’s wrath on people who practice evil. And they are doing just that, right here in the USA.

What is needed is for God’s people, you know who you are, to get busy again about being God’s people and quit acting like God owes them a single thing. We are to be the slaves of God. Too many people have that turned around. We are to be professors of Holiness and Godliness. Too many people claiming Christ have that upside down.

Please stop saying that “If only we could get a God fearing man in the oval office, all would be well.” That is one of the least important places to worry about having a God fearing man. Before we worry about that, let’s get some god fearing men in our churches. We need more. Let’s get some men to fear God enough to care about actually reading the Bible for life instruction rather than as a catalog for wishes. We need more. Let’s care about doctrine. Let’s concern ourselves with personal righteousness. Let’s put a priority on families the way God intended for them to be – a lifelong commitment the first time. We need more.

And, if we would do stuff like that, God will not need to use the rulers He has placed in those offices to deal with us. May God have mercy on us, and may we stop shifting the blame.

See you SONday,

Pastor Steve

 

 

© 2016 Dr. SF Gallagher

He Died Before His Death

 

For many years we knew the day would come when there would be no chance to have another conversation. We talked plainly about it many times. We refused to treat it as if it were something which we could sweep away by ignoring the reality. We trusted the scripture that asserts “it is appointed for men to die” (Hebrews 9:27) and “the days of our lives are seventy years, and if by reason of strength they are eighty years” (Psalm 90:10). We never tried to run from it. We actually embraced it with some joy sprinkled with the sadness.

On October 28, 2014, at the age of 77 years, my father breathed his last on earth. It was not the most peaceful death I have witnessed, but it was gentle. There was music playing in the background. He was the musician we were listening to. Mom and I were there with her sisters and a couple others. It was not in any way traumatic. In fact, the moment was welcomed.

I expect that many would say this way of looking at things is cold and perhaps a bit harsh. By the standards of this day, perhaps it is. But we were ready. He was ready.

For more than ten years, my father and I had been discussing this reality. He told me that he wanted me to do his funeral. He also told me what he wanted me to do when I did his funeral. He gave me the note cards and the Bible and the outline. We were ready for the chores. We talked about personal things that I would not dream of writing for public consumption. He shared thoughts and feelings about life and death. He shared regrets and hopes.

Through the years as his lucid moments decreased and his dementia increased, I am convinced we managed to get said what we wanted to say. I knew he had finished, or at least was resigned to know that he may never have another turn, on Christmas day 2013 when he asked me to pray that God would help him to “go on home.” So far I can’t think of anything that I wish I had said to him. I might someday, but I really have nothing on that list. As far as one can be, I think we were prepared.

I guess that is to say that we were prepared for the moment of death and the chores that followed. I am not so sure that we were ready for the process that we would walk through from that Christmas night until the following October. That was a set of experiences for which there is no real preparation unless one has gone through it with another person. Even then, I am convinced that each experience will be just different enough to contain surprises along the way. These can be scary surprises or annoying surprises. These can be painful, or even happy surprises. When any of the various forms of dementia are involved, one can never perfectly know.

At any rate, my father and I were both content that we had said what we could say and that we had done what we could do. This is not to presume anything of him. His mind may have been much more lucid than it would allow his body to display. I often wished I knew what was going on in that head of his. As the lucid moments came to be both fewer and shorter, and the demented moments became more frequent and longer in their presentation, I am sure that he did as well.

I know of no more precise way to describe it than to say that I believe he was done that Christmas night we spent together in his room at the re-hab center. He wanted to have no more of this world. He wanted enough strength to take care of his personal needs and new he would not ever have it again. He wanted to be useful to my mother, yet knew that he would be a burden until his body finally let go. He wished he could preach even just one more time and knew he never would, though he did when he was in his other world and had all those other people around which could be seen by no other person except him. He knew he was done and had only to wait his turn. I am glad that he was aware enough that night to let me know that he was. He gave me the chance to be done as well.

That was the last time I think I ever really spoke with my father. We had moments from time to time. I saw a glimmer in him every once in a while in his face. But I think I never really experienced his presence again. It just never seemed like it was him in there. The words his voice spoke didn’t seem to convey the heart of my dad.

This all must seem somewhat macabre and defeatist. Some may say that I just gave up on an old and dying man before it was really time. Of course this is not true. I never stopped trying to get in there. I never stopped knowing that this was my father and his life was worth every moment we were given. But I also never was able to grab that consciousness which I knew and loved as my father. I have heard it described as him being done before his body was. Maybe it was something like that – I’ll really never know.

Somewhere in my feeble mind, I’ll always think he died before his death. Those are the kind of words he would have used to describe it as well, after all, it was that man who taught me how to use words. But, before that moment when we both knew it was all over except the chores, we did something very important. We said what we needed to say. We showed what needed to be shown. We assured each other of those things which we believed mattered. We let go of those which we knew never really did. We even let go of some things that did matter knowing we had absolutely no control over them. God blessed us with time enough for that. And in the moment when the chores were finally done, we both found rest.

See You SONday,

Pastor Steve

© 2015 Dr. SF Gallagher

June 17, 2015

Three Realities of Church (Pt. 3)

In this installments to this blog, I intend to present the third of three realities of church work that deserve a quick reminder. As you, the reader, remember these truths, I trust they will renew your readiness to serve in your local church.

“Calling versus Coercing”

Another very important aspect regarding God’s work and our place in it speaks to the way the person knows his or her direction. There are people on both sides of the table that believe that coercing is the same as calling. Some leaders believe that they must twist the arms of the worker in order for them to follow God’s direction. Some workers are just as bad. These believe that unless their arms are twisted, there is no real reason to do anything. But there is a difference between the calling of God and the coercion of church leaders. Both the leader and the worker need to understand this. If it takes coercion for someone to follow God’s direction, there is something else that needs attention. That individual is not ready to serve. On that same note, the leader that believes that it is necessary to brow beat and harasses the worker into submission is not ready to be a leader.

This is a “never should be” attitude. When this is the attitude that is leading the church, the church will be bogged down in personality issues and arguments over polity rather than the vital work of evangelism and disciple making for which the church has been instituted.

From one leader to others, Peter writes, “Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:2-3). The leadership role here is clearly described. The leader is responsible to be both a provider of care for the sheep and direction for those sheep to be productive. He is NOT to beat them into submission. Peter makes it clear that it is the task of those who are to follow to, “submit yourselves to your elders” (Vs 5). If every person knows his role and does it, there will be no need to coerce or force the work.

If the leader will take on the “Mind of Christ,” and will in his work strive to “make himself of no reputation,” He will be a leader that others will want to work with. If he will view himself as a servant, obedient to his Lord even “to the point of death,” and perhaps that of the cross with all its implications, he will be a servant true to his Lord. If he will not wear this attitude, his chore has very little chance of being done effectively and the work will suffer.

© 2015 Dr. SF Gallagher

June 9, 2015

Three Realities of Church (Pt. 2)

In this installments to this blog, I intend to present the second of three realities of church work that deserve a quick reminder. As you, the reader, remember these truths, I trust they will renew your readiness to serve in your local church.

“Chore versus Career”

There is also the thought of “Chore versus Career”. It should be understood that change is a part of the reality of all that God has placed on this earth. The fact that you felt a real and secure direction from God to teach that class or lead that committee or whatever your chore might have been in a time now past, this may not be a life long calling. This is even true for the person who is absolutely chosen by God for lifelong career ministry. Every church chore, whether high profile or behind the scenes, should be viewed simply as a chore. It is a necessary, vital, has to be done, no room for error chore. It is a chore that must be done; a chore to be done to the Glory of God; a chore that calls out, “You are the one who must do this thing.” But also remember that God could have chosen someone else to do that chore, and may choose to replace you any day He chooses.

 

The chore is not “Yours” to own. The chore is “Yours” to do. But only yours until it is time for someone else to have the same chore in the same room with the same seat covers and the same dishes. There is only one eternal thing to which God calls us. This is salvation, and this places every bondservant of God in the same place.

 

© 2015 Dr. SF Gallagher

June 4, 2015

Three Realities of Church (Pt. 1)

 

Over the next few installments to this blog, I intend to present three realities of church work that deserve a quick reminder. As you, the reader, remember these truths, I trust they will renew your readiness to serve through your local church.

 

“Role versus Rank”

One of the most important things to understand for every church worker is the concept of “Role versus Rank”.  The reality is that there is no “Rank” in the church except that which is due to God. No pastor, nor deacon, nor elder, nor long time or charter member, nor rich person, nor mean person, nor angry person, nor educated person, nor person with a long Christian lineage – this list is too long now so if you want more, make them up yourself- has any higher importance than any of the other people on or off this list. Even though there are “Roles” that necessitate an amount of leadership and authority, there is not a single person in the church with the place of the dictator. Responsibility absolutely exists, and a lot of it. The proper submission to that place of responsibility also absolutely exists. Many problems ensue very quickly though when either party overdoes his or her part of this equation.

 

In probably every church in the world, there are those who are extremely demanding. It is their thinking that every thought they have is divinely inspired and thus everyone must follow whatever they want. They think they are always right and anyone who does not agree with them must therefore be wrong and should get right with God – this being measured by their agreement with and submission to the thoughts and directions they support. The reality is that these people need to get a right understanding their place in God’s kingdom work.

 

There are others in most churches. These are those who have no opinion whatsoever. Perhaps they have been beaten down so many times that they feel that there is no value in the fight any longer. They may be quiet, jello backed people who think so little of their opinions that they refuse to assert any part of them.  It is also possible that these are simply so apathetic that they really don’t care, feeling that what and how the church goes about her task are plainly unimportant.

 

Both of these people need to gain an understanding of how God intends His church to operate.  It is God’s intentional plan that His church operate with order and with leadership. He gave us the roles of leadership, and the roles that follow His leaders. Knowing which role God has given an individual, and working within that role, will remove many dissentions in the church.

 

© 2015 Dr. SF Gallagher

April 25, 2015

The thing is, that while “Jesus regularly ate dinner with thieves and prostitutes” (seen on Facebook), He never celebrated their theft nor participated in their prostitution. Loving people does not mean approving nor embracing their sin. Nor is love shown by participation in their sin. In fact, this would be the opposite of loving those to whom Jesus gave love.

It seems to be difficult to love people whose sin is different than our own. It also seems difficult to accept love from those who define sinfulness differently. When Jesus bridged that gap, He was maligned and misrepresented by those in the time of His incarnation. Some today still misunderstand. Those who attempt to bridge that gap today are misunderstood as well.

I long for that time when the dark glass will no longer be in the way.

See You SONday,

Dr. SF Gallagher

(c) 2015 SF Gallagher

Guest Blogger JF Gallagher (that’s my son)

January 3, 2015

 

I have been in church my entire life. My father is a Baptist preacher and thereby I know a ton about Jesus the Bible and church stuff in general. This is great. I have a good grasp on what a Christian is and what he does and how he thinks. So, I know what it means to be saved what is should look like how a Christian should live etc. Quite often in the church world, the question arises “How were you saved?” What is your personal salvation story? Your testimony. A simple question and for those who are saved easy to answer. So this brings us back to me, the good little preacher’s boy who when asked this simple question freezes. Why do I stumble through this question? What is so difficult about articulating my salvation story? Perhaps, the problem is that I did not have one. My “salvation story” was actually one of pride and sin.

When I was called on to recount my salvation experience, I recited my story which, deep down, I knew was missing something. I would say was saved when I was young. Since I grew up going to Church every time the doors were open, I knew who God was and what He had done for me. Then, one night in bed He called me and I answered. I knew the steps to take and the words to say so I did. Bam I was saved. Simple and easy, this was the story of how I got saved, or so I thought.

I told myself and everyone who asked that I was saved. I had convinced myself that when I repeated those words to myself in bed with my eyes closed and hands folded that I had asked Jesus into my heart. I was wrong. But, I still had to figure that out. I continued in this dishonest state for years. Whenever I doubted my salvation, I would reassure myself “no, no, remember that one night in your bed? Yea that’s it. See no worries you’re saved.” I could not tolerate the idea that I was not a Christian. After all, what would people say if they found out the preacher’s son was not truly saved. And besides, who could doubt that I was saved? No one did. Except me.

I allowed my pride get in the way of my eternity. Through many church services, I ignored the calling on my heart to preserve my image. I was a well-respected young man of Christ who certainly did not want to lose his status simply because he made a mistake, and besides I was saved. Right? I had become consumed by sin and I allowed it define me. I knew this mindset was not pleasing to God and needed to be changed but, I was unwilling to destroy my reputation. After all, I had an image to maintain. But I still had sin in my life and had to fix it. Okay, no problem. I got this. I am a good church boy. I know how to cure this sin. I have a Bible, I can pray, and hey, I’m already going to church. This should be easy. I can rid myself of this sin no problem. I took the correcting of my sin into my own hands. Well, I tried and failed. I would screw up time and time again. “Oops, I messed up time to try again after all, I’m only human.” I said these words to myself over and over to no avail. I was trapped in my sin. I continued to sin even when I was trying to do what was right (this grew increasingly aggravating). I hated my sin. I should be able to end it. I slowly came to the conclusion that I must be missing something. While “reading” my Bible, and by reading I mean flipping through aimlessly, I stumbled across some verses that finally connected with me.

I read the words again. Romans 7:15 “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.” Wo, hey that’s me. I was doing what I did not want to and the good I was trying to do I was not. Cool. So, I kept on reading. Romans 7:17 “So now it is no longer I who do it, but the sin that dwells within me.” So sin dwells in. Wait, now this cannot be me. I was saved. Remember that one night in bed. Oh well guess it can’t be me because I KNOW I am saved and thereby sin cannot dwell there. I once again repeated my words of reassurance to myself that I was saved but the doubt still lingered. Then, I read verse 19 which said the same thing so this must be important. It is in the book more than once. Maybe I am wrong that would explain that longing and weight on my heart. Well, I continued to try to put an end to my sin and continued to fail. All the while the truth of scripture reverberating in my mind. “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.” I continued on this destructive path if failing and trying to remedy the problem on my own and the weight on my heart grew. While on this path, I ended up working at Falls Creek. I did not anticipate anything great would happen while I was there I just thought it would be a fun summer job. But, God had other plans.

            As a summer staffer at Falls Creek (the Oklahoma Baptist camp ground), I was put into a small group of a few guys. One of whom was the leader. This leader was there to mentor us and help us grow spiritually. When I was put in this group, there were only two things on my mind; I wish this weight on my heart would go away, and I am saved I don’t need to say or do anything. At this point, I clung to my sin and it was killing me I just could not see it. I was unwilling to ask for help. I could not let anyone see how low I had fallen. Once again, I allowed my pride to get in the way of my eternity. All this was unknown to my small group leader and I just told him I wanted to read my Bible more. He liked the idea and offered some good books to read. As I read and discussed them with him, he challenged me to dig in deeper and discuss the truths I found. All this digging was hard. But, through this exploration of His book Christ was working on my heart. He showed me truths and how His book applies to my life and ultimately my need for Him. After weeks of learning and Him breaking down my wall of pride, I was finally ready to make a real change.

            During a Sunday night staff worship session, I was bombarded throughout the service. I may not remember what the speaker was saying or the songs we sung but, they all led me to the same place. Christ reminded me of all the things He had been revealing to me through the past weeks and years and how on my own could never defeat the sin in my life no matter how hard I tried. He also told me that simply being able to recite a story and know all the right answers was not enough to get into Heaven. I still had to come to place where I surrendered my life to Him. I was finally ready to lay down my pride and follow Christ.

After that service I went to my small group leader and told him “I need Jesus.” He did not hesitate and I did not feel that he thought any less of me. We found a seat and sat down. He asked me “what’s up?” and I told him. I told him of the battle I had been waging over the past few years and of the revelation that God had shown me. I no longer saw a need to fight it alone. I had to have Christ in my life. So, I prayed. Unlike last time where I simply recited some words, this time I meant the words I said. I asked the Lord to forgive me for all my foolishness and sin and asked Him to be the Lord of my life. At the end of that prayer my burden was lifted. I felt like a new and freed man. I now knew that I had Jesus in my heart and nothing could change that. When I was asked how I was saved I could now answer with confidence.

Being able to simply give a response to the question of “how did you get saved?” does not make you a Christian. Nor does knowing the answers to all the “churchy” questions. You can tell everyone that you are saved and even convince yourself of the lies you have chosen to tell but, you still need Christ. Until you come to a place where you are willing to give it all to Christ and let Him reign as your savior, the question of “how were you saved” will always be a terrible one. Next time you think about asking someone how they were save, perhaps a better way to start is by asking them if they have ever gave their life to the Lord.

 

© 2014 SF Gallagher