Grab our RSS feedFrom the Comments: A Testimony of God's Saving Grace
Many thanks to the person who was willing to share this story of God's saving grace:
Amazing...God's providence, that is.
I was having an imaginary conversation with an imaginary unbeliever on my 30-minute commute to work today with hopes that I might be better prepared to testify of the real Christ to a real person someday.
My story goes like this.
I grew up full of religion and full of myself as a son of a SBC preacher. I am thankful to this day for God's kindness in giving me parents who pointed me to Christ consistently and sincerely from day one. Through high school and college I was active in my church, considered a leader in my youth group and was intellectually aligned with Biblical truth but religion was my duty not my delight.
I lived for the glory of self.
Even the "good" deeds were done with concern for how I may be viewed by family and friends who professed Christ. I did not want to let them down or have them think less of me. I was living to make much of self and advance my kingdom. All the while, as I put on a good outward performance of Christianity, inside I was a wreck. I found, despite my best intentions, that I could not conquer the lusts of the flesh that raged within.
I wrestled often with the assurance of my salvation, wondering if my profession of faith as an eleven year-old was authentic. "Did I really mean it?" I would often ask with regard to the "sinner's prayer" I had prayed earlier in my life. This battle went on for years until finally 2 Corinthians 4:6 happened to me.
The summer of my 25th year I married, and failing miserably as a husband to be faithful to my vows before God and man, the Lord showed me the depths of my depravity and I realized that I had nothing to commend to God. I was spiritually bankrupt. No good dwelled in me.
It was during this time of outward repentance of secret sexual sin (through the aid of Biblical counseling) that God was doing an inward working. He removed the veil from the eyes of my heart and shined in His light so that Christ became beautiful to me.
My Savior, Jesus, who paid for my sins on the Cross, purchased the right to redeem me and make me right with God. Religion was no longer my duty, it became my delight and Christ became my greatest treasure. Now, my passion is that in everything He might be preeminent
I don't know that I came to Christ. I certainly wasn't looking for Him because I thought I had Him. But He rescued me. And now, my heart echos those familiar words of John Newton. "There's two things I know for sure. I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior!
Soli Deo gloria!
What's your story?
(You may click here to see the initial post in this series, where you will also find the full invite to share your own story of God's saving mercy!)
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