Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis came into my reading life with an impact that many other readers have experienced. That was followed by The Screwtape Letters, a satirical novel describing the dialogue between demons in hell who are plotting against the forces of heaven. One of many points in these books is the concept that we are on a spiritual battlefield where we are not the warriors; we are the prize. I’m sure the idea can be stated better by theologians, but Mere Christianity and The Screwtape Letters are not written for theologians. There is no Switzerland where one may stay neutral in this world of conflict. The Bible tells us we have an enemy who is willing for us to live with a delusion of neutrality. Satan is not about worship, just control. He does not need our respect or love. God, on the other hand, does want our love. Satan’s goal is to keep us away from Jesus, who God sent as a ransom for many. Satan does not care if we believe in him or even whether we believe he exists. Satan could care less that we are religious, just that we do not become followers of the Lord Jesus Christ.
I was at the point where I realized that not making a decision was working for the enemy camp, a place I did not seek or want. The path to escape is not hard to find but requires a step in faith. By this time, I had completed reading the first three New Testament gospels and just starting the Book of John. The evidence pointed to Jesus as the Messiah sent by God for the work of salvation. Chapter 6 of John describes a time when disciples were leaving Jesus because he was teaching that he was the bread of life that has come down from heaven, which gives eternal life when eaten. In response to this message, people who had been following him walked away. Jesus turns to the twelve and asks if they also want to leave him. At this, Peter answers in verse 68, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” There it was. Where was I to go? Peter was right; nobody talks with authority like Jesus. In all of my studies, only Jesus offers life and salvation from God.
In February 1984, while jogging, I decided to make Jesus the Lord of my life and accept the gift of salvation through faith in him. I was free of the fear of death, free to enjoy salvation and live a life focused on what God wants me to do while I still live. The challenges and disappointments in my life did not go away. The difference was that now I had God helping me walk the lighted path out of the darkness. That is the point: I was in spiritual darkness until I asked Jesus Christ to become the Lord of my life and lead me into the light of his truth.
Thank you for reading and I hope something in this narrative is helpful or inspirational for you.