Author and evangelist Jay Lowder delivers Convocation message on genuine faith

Amid an exciting and opportunity-filled Global Focus Week on campus, Liberty University welcomed author and evangelist Jay Lowder to deliver the message at Wednesday morning’s Convocation.

As students were encouraged to center themselves on Christ before they enter service work at home or abroad, Lowder spoke into the difference between having a genuine relationship with Jesus and living a lukewarm life of knowing the correct answers while going through the motions.

Lowder’s testimony includes the story of how he almost committed suicide before coming to know the Lord. On Wednesday, he shared a message based out of Matthew 7, explaining that although there are many people who know about Jesus, few have a real relationship with Him.

Before expounding on the Scripture, Lowder shared some of his story.

“I know what it’s like to be without hope. I know what it’s like to struggle with (thoughts) of suicide day-in and day-out,” he said.

It was after attending a service where a guest speaker with a similar past stood up and shared the Gospel that Lowder surrendered his life to the Lord.

“At that moment, more than anything in my life I can honestly say that I wanted Jesus,” he said. “I didn’t want some ticket to just get to heaven. I didn’t want to just break free from my (alcoholic) addiction. I didn’t want to just break free from suicidal tendencies. I wanted Christ.”

“I gave my life to Christ because I realized I was religious but lost,” he added.

In Matthew 7, Jesus gives us a look into the future, Lowder said, telling us that multitudes will claim His name but only those who have surrendered their lives to Him and have a genuine relationship with the Savior will enter into eternal life.

“There’s a lot of people that wear the label that don’t live the life,” he said. “People that call Him Lord but have not made Him Lord.”

Lowder cautioned Liberty students, reminding them of the danger in being surrounded by a Christian environment but falling into complacency.

“Is it possible you know a whole lot about Jesus but you’ve never really met Him?” he asked.

Lowder encouraged listeners by reminding them that although Christians make mistakes, those who do the will of the Lord and obey His commandments are the true disciples of God.

“Is there down in your heart a supernatural eagerness to follow God?” Lowder asked.

He said that our lives should reflect and give evidence of the inward transformation that has happened in our hearts and explained that a life built on a foundation of faith in Christ will be able to weather any of life’s storms.

Lowder concluded with an invitation to accept Christ, which was answered by hundreds of students coming forward to receive Jesus as their personal Savior or rededicate their lives to Him.

Lowder will also be the main speaker in Convocation on Friday at 10:30 a.m. in the Vines Center.