Tags
crucifixion, embarrassing, faith, God the Father, heaven, Jesus, joy, public confession, study scripture, witnessing
For many of us it was a marker in our lives to walk down the church aisle and profess our belief in Jesus Christ. It was a proud moment to know that for all eternity we were His. There were those who cried tears of joy. Our parents and grandparents, maybe other family members, Sunday school teachers, others who had prayed for our salvation. It was not a thing we took lightly.
I am bothered by the way it is sometimes done today. “Every head bowed; every eye closed. If there are those who want to make Jesus their Savior and Lord today, just lift your hand. We don’t want to embarrass you, just lift your hand. If you’ve done that, we believe you are saved.”
Let’s ponder that a bit. The Father gave His Son for us in a humiliating, tortuous way. There should be a run down the aisle, not a hand raised with no one looking. Someone told me she would probably never have walked an aisle; she was too shy and wouldn’t want people looking at her. How do you think Jesus felt hanging naked and bleeding on a cross? How do you think His mother felt as she looked on?
It seems we’ve taught the world it’s okay to keep your belief in God a private matter. “Every head bowed; every eye closed.” Please ponder again. People can stand for their sports team without any hesitancy. They can display excitement. They can talk enthusiastically about a win. Yet the biggest win of all is eternal life and we hold back on that one. My mother said when she walked the aisle to profess faith, her Aunt Ollie shouted with joy. Aunt Ollie was mentally challenged, but the Holy Spirit enlightened her about that moment. I love Mother’s story.
I’m glad I professed faith in a time when walking the aisle to the preacher at the front was the only acceptable way. It was required. By so doing, you were publicly declaring that Jesus was your Savior and Lord. You stood at the front for people of the congregation to file by and congratulate you on your decision.
Professing Christ should be a proud and glorious moment for every believer. It is the beginning of our witnessing, and it’s the beginning of our eternal life.
Therefore, anyone who confesses me before men, I will also confess him before my Father in Heaven. –Matthew 10:32 NASB
Prayerful Pondering 
I remember when I walked down the aisle at our church, I was probably 10 or 11 at the time and was so blessed. It was a time when people were encouraged to walk down that aisle and when we stood at the front, and were talked to, individually by the pastor, we accepted the Lord as our Lord and Savior, the folks in the congregation spoke to you, were so happy for you and made it a point to offer support and love. The church was not small, probably 3 or 4 hundred, considered large at that time. I believe for sake of getting out of church after an hour or so, this important part of accepting Christ as your Savior is cut out…..it takes away from the sinner accepting the forgiveness and grace, the love and mercy of our Lord from that Via Dolorosa path walk, forsaking the sin and acknowledging what the Cross means to you personally. It was a decision to follow Jesus. Sadly lost in many of today’s churches. If you can’t give people the chance to have their decision acknowledged, let others see your decision, what is it really worth. Churches need to go back to what the Invitation means.
Perfectly said, Pat. I am very concerned about all we have taken away. It’s a big mistake. Thank you for commenting.
Pat I agree with what you stated. I can still remember joining our church over 49 years ago. The feeling when you give up your old life gor a new one. Yes our minister does this at times too as heads are bowed and eyes closed he asks for raised hands so prayers can be raised for you but you still have to come down the aisle I am not and never will be ashamed of our Savior. Once when I applied for a different job I was asked how I dealt with stress. My answer was there is only one way and that is through prayer. I got the job!
Charlotte Rose
If we deny Christ . . . Our churches are making a big mistake and all we seniors know it. When I wrote for the Memphis Healthcare News under Patient Perspective, our president Gary Shorb, who was my boss, asked me where I got all that (it was a compliment) and I told him it wasn’t me, it was the Holy Spirit. And it was. My writing was never any good unless it was done under His direction. Thank you for commenting.