Faith like a...

91 year old?

Last Sunday, I watched a 91-year-old man give his testimony in front of our church and get baptized. He said he didn't want to wait another day to make a public declaration of His belief in Jesus and total surrender to Him. That may seen like an obvious statement coming from a 91-year-old person who might not have much time left on this earth, but to me it was very bold and it brought me to tears.

You see, I have watched many people, especially "church" people, grow older and become more and more set in their ways. Because they are "mature" Christians, they are always praying for others, discipling others, and so on, but not necessarily taking stock of their walk with the Lord. They are unwilling to admit their failures or lean on anyone else, let alone publicly declare it.

This man has been a Christian for most of his life, but yet he felt the need to come before the church in obedience to his Heavenly Father. And to tell you the truth, based on my experiences, this would be the last thing I would expect to see someone doing at age 91 - admitting his failures and need for Jesus in front of all of us.

And that's why it touched me so much. Because if, at age 91, this man can stand in front of us as a long-time Christian and take these bold steps because of his love for and obedience to the Father, then that's what I want.

Faith like a 91-year-old. For the rest of my life.

But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.
1 John 2:5-6