George Jones: His Death And His Faith

George Jones the legendary voice of country music died today at Vanderbilt University Hospital, he was 81. I was saddened by his death because I have long recognized his immense talent. In fact, it was a George Jones song, A Picture Of Me Without You, that was sung at my wedding nearly 38 years ago. My wife really introduced me to his music.
As I thought about Jones and his life I did a little research and found this article written by Dr. Russell D. Moore, President of the School of Theology at Southern Seminary. This article and several others that I read today lead me to believe that George Jones had a trust in Jesus Christ as his Savior
I think that George represents the story of a lot of Christians who make poor choices and get out of fellowship with God. But in the end he made the fellowship with the Lord a priority and quit destructive habits for good. Here is a song that George recorded that reveal his struggles with sin and the goodness of God.

.
Here are the lyrics to the song above...

I say, Christian pilgrim, so redeemed from sin
Called out of darkness a new life to begin
Were you ever in the valley where the way is dark and dim
Did you ever drink the cup of loneliness with Him

Did you ever have them laugh at you and say it was a fake
The stand that you so boldly for the Lord did take
Did you ever have them mock at you and laugh in ways quite grim
Did you ever drink the cup of loneliness with Him

Did you ever try to preach then hold fast and pray
And even when you did it there did not seem a way
And you lost all courage then lost all your vim
Did you ever drink the cup of loneliness with him

Oh my friends 'tis bitter sweet while here on earthly sod
To follow in the footsteps that our dear Savior trod
To suffer with the Savior and when the way is dark and dim
To drink from the bitter cup of loneliness with Him

It is important to remember that George Jones was influenced as a child by a Sunday School teacher and the pastor's wife. It was in church that Jones began to sing and to develop a life-long love for gospel music. I don't know the exact time that Jones trusted Christ as his Savior but I do know that the moment one looks to Jesus in faith they are wondrously saved. I am reminded of the wonderful lyrics of Fanny Crosby...

 O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood,
To every believer the promise of God;
The vilest offender who truly believes,
That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.

Much of George Jones life was not useful in service to the Lord but was mired down in sin. Jones was always very honest and candid about his failings. But the faithfulness of Jesus Christ is what keeps us saved it's not our own works that maintain our relationship with the Almighty.

Galatians 2:20

King James Version (KJV)

²⁰ I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith (faithfulness) of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Trust in Jesus as your Savior and receive a pardon today!

Click Here!