A Lawyer Seeking Answers
In the early 19th century, Charles Finney was a young lawyer in Adams, New York, grappling with existential questions that the law could not answer. Born in 1792 in Warren, Connecticut, and raised in a farming family, Finney had little exposure to religious teachings. His journey towards faith began while studying law, where references to Mosaic law in legal texts piqued his curiosity about the Bible. Despite attending prayer meetings and engaging in religious debates, Finney was initially skeptical, once remarking that he "didn't think Jesus Christ was any more the Son of God than he was."
Face to Face with Jesus
However, in October 1821, a profound shift occurred. Finney resolved to focus entirely on his soul's salvation, setting aside his legal work. He experienced an intense internal struggle, feeling spiritually hardened and unable to pray. On a pivotal evening, Finney encountered Jesus in a way that changed his life forever. As he later recounted, "As I went in and shut the door after me, it seemed as if I met the Lord Jesus Christ face to face." This encounter broke him down, leading him to weep and confess. It was followed by what Finney described as a baptism of the Holy Spirit, filling him with an overwhelming love and joy. He realized that salvation was a gift to be accepted and felt justified by faith.
From Courtroom to Pulpit
This transformation was immediate and complete. Finney lost all interest in his law practice, feeling that "the world seemed to me of very little consequence." He embraced a new calling to preach the gospel, convinced that no work was more important than leading others to Christ. By 1824, he was licensed as a minister and became a key figure in the Second Great Awakening, a period of religious revival across America. Finney's revivals, characterized by passionate preaching and a call to social reform, led to numerous conversions and significant church growth.
Finney's life stands as a testament to the power of a personal encounter with Jesus, the necessity of repentance, and the transformative work of the Holy Spirit. His legacy continues to inspire, reminding us that Jesus is at the center of true change.
