You may have experienced the emotional roller-coaster ride of the gig experience, usually starting on a high, then some lows, climaxing with an all time high at the end. When it’s all over you will leave with the memories of sweaty (sometimes drugged) people jumping around you to a musical artist manipulating the emotions of a crowd for a few hours to make money – and to promote his image to those who will follow. Humans follow like sheep, whether we like the fact or not – we imitate what we think is cool and agrees with our spirit, whether that spirit be angry, mild, power hungry, kind, dark, etc. Usually you probably don’t like being told what to do, unless of course that leader agrees with your ideologies, then you will gladly follow.
Let me tell you something about me. I was ‘broken’ and angry. I loved darkness and lived in darkness most of my teenage years. I wore black and felt like I was spitting acid hate whenever I walked about the town. My mind was full of filth, dirty language, and rock music like Nine Inch Nails, Therapy?, Jane’s Addiction, Rage Against The Machine, Smashing Pumpkins and so on – the music being blasted into my brain through earphones at any opportunity. Over time all that changed…
Something happened to me and I was ‘fixed’. I realised that I was a useless sinner in the sight of God worthy only to die in the dust and be dumped into the trash can of Hell. I did not think much of myself – but that was OK because I really was an evil worm before God. I hated my life and I hated my sin. “What exactly is sin?” you may ask. Well, have you ever lied? Have you ever blasphemed God by using His Name in vain as a curse word? Have you ever murdered? (God sees hate in the heart as murder). Have you ever stolen? Ever looked at a woman (or man) to lust after her (or him)? God regards this as spiritual fornication or adultery of the heart. Jesus said: “I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” (Matthew 5:28). Perhaps you have actually committed fornication (sex before marriage) or adultery? (sex outside of marriage or with someone else’s wife/husband)?
If you study the Ten Commandments (the Moral law) given in Exodus chapter twenty, and Jesus’ application of them in Matthew chapter five, then perhaps your response is like that of King David in Psalm fifty one – where he cried out to God over his sins very bitterly. This was my cry.
Let me share with you a Bible passage that spoke to me and was instrumental in changing the course of my life: “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God” (John 3:14-21).
That passage described me – I was scared of coming to God because my deeds were evil and I loved darkness. Then I thought – God is willing to have mercy on me and change my life for the better by saving my soul, but I just want to throw it all away. I knew I wanted to be with God when I died – and I felt sore about my sins. I was humbled that Jesus died on the cross and was punished to pay for the sins that I had done. God’s mercy was a gift and all I had to do was take it and accept it. So, in April 1996, I turned to God, repented of my sin, trusted in what Christ had done for me on the cross and believed He rose from the dead the third day. The Bible says: “Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). I trusted that God would help me change my sinful ways and truly turn away from every known sin. Do you wish to be saved from your sin? Don’t think that it is something that you can never have. Jesus (Almighty God in the flesh) said: “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37). “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). My friend, if He can save a wretch like me – then He can save anyone! The Bible says: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31). “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9-10).
Think about these things, as you will have to face death sooner or later and I don’t want you to end up in Hell. Sometimes this life is bad enough without having to also be shunned from your Maker’s presence into burning agony, forever. What a waste of a life! Hell is not going to be a happy place – for it is a place where hope ceases to exist. In the time you have left alive – you still have a hope if you turn your life to God and repent of your evil deeds. Believe on the sacrifice that Jesus paid on the cross for sinners like us. When you think of nails, think of what Christ has done for us on the cross.
Why not humbly pray to God tonight before you go to sleep? Feelings can be manipulated (as we know) so don’t trust them – trust God’s promises of forgiveness and Bible truth. The Bible says: “The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:7-9).
Being converted is like changing your allegiance from Satan to God – and the forces of darkness within and without will not let you go without a battle. Seek other Christians that trust in the Bible (KJV) as the only authority and teach that salvation is a gift by faith alone and not of works – lest any man should boast. Get them to pray with you. If you need help then please contact us.
Thank you for reading this message and I hope God leads you to genuine repentance and a real saving faith in His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. I pray God has mercy on you like he did me.
Lance Sexton