London Fletcher: ‘I Was Living in Darkness for So Long; But When I Accepted Christ, My Eyes Were Opened’

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He is a middle linebacker for the Washington Redskins. Before signing with the Washington Redskins, he played for the St. Louis Rams and the Buffalo Bills. Well known for never missing a game in his career, he is ranked first among active iron men in this regard with over 200 starts. He was selected to the Pro Bowl four times and to the Second-team All-Pro twice. He helped his team, the St. Louis Rams win Super Bowl 34 in 2000. He won the Bart Starr Man of the Year Award in 2012 and was the Washington Redskins’ Defensive Player of the Year in 2011 and the NFC Defensive Player of the Month in December 2012.
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He says of his faith in Christ, “For several months in 2004, I felt God was telling me to come to Him. But I resisted until after the 1st Bible study that Fred Raines, a chaplain with Athletes in Action, had at training camp. I was excited to accept and follow Christ as my Lord and Savior. I was tired of living the life that I was living. I knew I couldn’t do this on my own. I felt a fulfillment inside that I had been searching for. I spent years chasing things I thought would bring me everlasting joy and happiness: chasing Super Bowl rings [I was fortunate to be a part of a Super Bowl with St. Louis in my 2nd year] or a multi-million dollar contract; or a new house, cars and jewelry. None of those things did for me what Christ did in an instant.”
“I grew up in a home where my grandmother had us in church. It was more of a routine to go. I would hear people talk about how Christ changes you, but I was skeptical. Then I felt that on the inside, it was a tremendous thing. I was living in the darkness for so long.  When I accepted Christ, my eyes were open; I wanted to shout and tell the world. I called and told my best friend — all the friends that I knew — that I had received Christ. I wanted them to really experience the joy that I felt. I was so thirsty I really wanted to experience all that God wanted to give me. I didn’t just want to keep the relationship I had with the Lord on the inside. I wanted it to be an outward expression as well and that’s why I was excited about getting baptized that following week [after I gave my life to Jesus Christ].”
“I encourage you today that if you already haven’t made the decision to accept Christ as your Lord and Savior — don’t hesitate. Don’t be discouraged by someone else. Accept Christ in your heart. Admit to Him that you’re a sinner. I believe that this is the best decision you will make in your life.”
His name is London Fletcher.
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This is the “Chief of Sinners,” Daniel Whyte III, president of Gospel Light Society International, reminding you of what the Bible says, that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” like you and me. Just as London Fletcher gave his life to Christ, may I encourage you to do the same. Here is how:
First, please understand that you are a sinner and that you have broken God’s laws. The Bible says in Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Please understand that because of your sins, you deserve punishment in hell. Romans 6:23 says “the wages of sin is death…” This is both physical death and spiritual death in hell.
But here is the good news. John 3:16 reads, “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.”
The phrase “For God so loved the world” means that if you are in this world, God loves you no matter what you have done.
The next phrase, “that He gave His only begotten Son” refers to Jesus Christ. He is God’s son who suffered, bled, and died on the cross for your sins and for mine, and He was buried and rose again.
Our next phrase is “that whosoever believeth in Him”. The word “whosoever” means anybody at anytime. The phrase “believeth in Him” means to trust in Him, to depend upon Him, to rely on Him, or to have faith in Him for your salvation.
Our next phrase, “should not perish”, refers to eternal punishment in a place called hell.
And, lastly, the phrase “but have everlasting life” means to live eternally in Heaven with God.
The Bible also says in Romans 10:9 and 13: “That 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 whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Dear friend, if you are willing to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation, please pray with me this simple prayer: Heavenly Father, I realize that I am a sinner and that I have done some bad things in my life. For Jesus Christ sake, please forgive me of my sins. I now believe with all of my heart that Jesus Christ died for me, was buried, and rose again. Lord Jesus, please come into my heart and save my soul and change my life today. Amen.
If you believed in your heart that Jesus Christ died on the cross, was buried, and rose again, allow me to say, congratulations on doing the most important thing in life and that is accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour!
Remember, friend, Believe by faith. Share the faith. and Keep the faith!