It gives me much joy and delight to share my testimony through the medium of this blog. I am most grateful to the God I now worship and serve that indeed I am sinner “saved by grace.” I was born to Christian parents and raised in a godly home in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” My father was a pastor in the local community Church.
In our home, my father “conducted” family devotions/prayers every (early) morning—Sunday to Saturday. We would each read a verse of Scripture after which my father would explain. And then we would kneel around the bed for prayers. Thank God for those “formative” years of my life.
Sunday was the Lord’s Day and we all attended Church services, including Sunday School. During the week, we attended prayer meeting, Bible study, and other spiritual activities.The Church was like “light house” in the community at that time with a membership of more than three hundred. Easter, Christmas, and New Year’s eve were very special events and attracted many visitors from near and far. There was an open Bible on the front door of the building so that passersby could stop and read a portion of God’s Word.
As a boy just entering my teen years, and with my Sunday School membership, I came to the realization that I was actually “without hope and without God” in the world. Notwithstanding my Christian upbringing, I hand to make the one most important decision of my life, which was to accept the Lord Jesus Christ as my personal Savior. The Bible says “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him” (John 3:16,17).
While in Sunday School, I felt the urge to talk with the teacher at the end of the lesson. During my conversation with him, he asked me if I would like to trust Jesus Christ as my Savior. I said yes. He spoke to me from the Bible and prayed with me. I then repented of my sins and received Jesus as my Savior. Needless to say my parents were very delighted at my decision.
The Bible says, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6). Jesus was wounded for my transgressions, bruised for my iniquities. The chastisement for my peace was on Him and by His stripes I am healed. All my sins were “laid on Jesus,” who bore them on His Cross. God who knew them laid them on Him, and believing I am free.
My resolve is to live the Christian life to its fullest extent, rejoicing in my salvation, and worshiping and serving the Most High God. Because “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away, behold, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17).The following hymn expresses my belief. “Things are different now, Something happened to me When I gave my heart to Jesus, Things are different now; I was changed it must be
When I gave my heart to Him. Things I loved before have passed away, Things I love far more have come to stay. Things are different now; Something happened that day, When I gave my heart to Him” (Stanton W Gavitt 1911-1985).
My Bible tells me that “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of
God who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). For me, living the Christian life in a God-honoring way means I must allow Jesus Christ to live His perfect sinless life in and through me. I accomplish this by reading, studying, and being obedient to the holy Scriptures. Also, I must take time to pray and must not neglect the assembling of myself with other believers. This means being a member of a Bible-believing local Church, which helps me to grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Living the Christian life is not easy in today’s world. There are many challenges and distractions along the way. But I have the assurance as God has promised, “I have chosen you and not cast you off; fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:9,10).
You too can accept Jesus Christ as your Savior and have a wonderful testimony to share about your salvation. God says “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). God also says, “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved” (Romans 10:9,10). May the Lord grant you the courage to do so for His name sake. Amen.