A few days ago, I shared my personal testimony on Instagram and Facebook. For those who aren't there, I'd love to share it here... and hear your own testimonies of how you came to Christ!
I was born and raised in a Baptist preacher's home. I knew all of the rules, and overall, I was the "good kid." I rarely sneaked behind my parents' back--and if I did, trust me, my conscience would beat me up! When I was about five or six, I was part of a church sign language class with a very zealous teacher. In one session, she asked who wanted to accept Christ as their Savior. I remember raising my hand. Since my parents were Christians, she told me to talk with my parents that night. I was all bubbly as I bounded up to my parents with, "I want to be saved!"
I remember talking to them that night, but that's all (in my parents' words: my siblings were wondering why in the world they didn't lead me in "the sinner's prayer" -- thank God for wise parents; they knew that I had childish curiosity, but not Christ-given conviction). However, when I was about seven, I vividly remember December 3. During Bible time for school, I had to read a few verses then jot down my thoughts. For at least two days, my answer was, "They need to be saved." That day, however, God hit my heart on a personal level: *I* needed to be saved.
That night, when my parents talked to me about Jesus Christ, His sacrifice for my sins, and that He is the only way to salvation, I understood and prayed, repenting of my sins. This, for me, was just the start. I was a good kid, and at seven, there is only so much "wicked" that a kid could do in action. Salvation goes much further than that, for me.
God has continued to mold me and shape me to become more like Him, and as I have gotten older, I am struck with the grim reality of everything my life has been spared because I came to Christ as a young child. No, my life isn't perfect, but my God is. What's more, there is nothing like the certainty that He will never leave nor forsake me!!
I would love to hear your salvation testimony!
5 comments:
My family moved from NC to MD when I was 5, 1 month after 9-11 to assist a Baptist Pastor. As you can imagine, 9-11 was pretty scary for a 5 year old but it got me to thinking.
A year later, July 3rd 2002, while my dad was grilling out in preparation for company the next day, I asked him some salvation related questions. He answered them to my satisfaction and I went back to play with my siblings.
But I couldn't stop thinking about what my dad had told me. Finally, I knelt down by our flower garden and accepted Christ as my Savior.
Thank God for godly parents, faithful preacher's and Sunday school teachers. Each were instrumental in my heart being ready when the Holy Spirit prompted.
I realized Jesus is my friend and Savior when I was 7 years old. Along with my twin sister I made my First Holy Communion. When I was 9 [my sister and I] made our Confirmation. I then became a soldier for Jesus.
Marilyn
I do not remember a time when I did not know Jesus as my Savior. In Eph.God tells us that His people were elect before the foundations of the earth. So, I guess I have been His since before He made the world and He is forever molding me to live the life He has for me.
I loved reading your testimony, Amanda :)
Like you, I've grown up in a Baptist home and have been taught the Scripture ever since I can remember. A year or so after my family returned from England for the first time (at age five), I remember the Sunday afternoon when I was very convicted about my need for salvation. I'm not sure if something was said at Sunday school that triggered this, but I went to my mom and she shared from the Scriptures my need for a Saviour, and how Jesus died on the cross for my sins and rose from the grave. All I needed to do was accept His free gift! I remember kneeling by my parents bed and pouring my heart out as I asked Jesus' cleansing and received salvation! Ever since then the Lord has been working in my life in so many ways. Praise the Lord for His mighty power!
@ Ryana – thanks so much for sharing your testimony! It is so beautiful to see how God works in each of our lives to bring us to Him!
@ Marilyn – thanks for sharing!
@ Anonymous – I have heard the argument from Ephesians before, but I must mention that you have to take all of Scripture into context. Yes, Ephesians 1 presents that we are chosen before the foundations of the world…but if you continue to read in Ephesians, chapter 2 verse 8 says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:” The important part to notice is “through faith.” This implies that there IS action on our part. We aren’t just “saved.” It is God’s work (grace) plus our acceptance (faith). If we were predestined to salvation, then why did Jesus Christ even have to die to save the world from sin? Why are there all of the verses about us believing (which implies our ability) for salvation? (Acts 16:31, Romans 10:9, 1 Corinthians 1:21, Galatians 3:22, Hebrews 11:6, to name a few) It is dangerous to assume that, because God chose us, we are now secured a home in heaven. If you notice, even the thief on the cross had to acknowledge Jesus as Savior and repent of his sins. I agree that God is not willing that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9), but at the same time, He is holy and just. We must come to God on His terms—which are by His Son, Jesus Christ (John 14:6). To think that we don’t have to do anything to be saved goes contrary to God’s Word. I am not saying all of this to fight against you; I just don’t want you to be deceived with something that goes against what God Himself says. Please study the Scriptures and take ALL of it into consideration for your salvation!
@ Olivia – wow, our testimonies are very similar! It is so amazing! I know that many people kind of get discouraged with “simple” testimonies, because we’re not all Paul’s who were set against Christianity, then God turned our hearts. But it doesn’t matter our background… the power of God is still beautiful!
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