November 29, 2009

• November 29th, 1989

  For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it; and I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions. But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother's womb and called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus.  (Galatians 1:13-17)

   

  Twenty years ago I was a young boy, lying in bed around 10pm, listening to a radio program called Open Forum as I often did at that time.  Each night the host of the program would answer questions about the Bible from people who called in.  At the end of many conversations, the host would often exhort the callers to make sure that they had received God's gift of salvation from their sins.

  I had grown up in a big Baptist church.  I had been a missionary kid in Africa.  My parents had read the Bible to me every night for years.  I knew all the sunday school answers and could ace every Bible quiz.  I was proud of my Bible knowledge.  

  I knew that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God".  I knew that "the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life" because of the sacrifice Jesus had made for sins.  I knew that it was important for every person in the world to ask Jesus to save them and "come in to their heart", taking up His residence as King.  I knew that if a person disbelieved or rejected Jesus, that person would end up in Hell forever.

  I had raised my hand twice before in Vacation Bible Schools, when they told us a prayer to repeat and said "raise your hand if you want to accept Jesus as your Savior".  Afterward they talked to me and told me that if I really meant the prayer, then I was saved.  But I wasn't sure, or didn't fully understand.

  But this night, suddenly, the choice was right in front of me and the way forward was clear and exciting.   Asking Jesus to save them was something that everyone needed to do;  I had never done it;  why not do it at that moment?

  So I did.  Afterward I immediately got out of bed and wrote down on a piece of paper "I became a Christian at 10:00pm November 29th 1989."  I was happy!   I didn't need to be afraid of death or Hell any more, because I was now a Christian and I was on my way to heaven!  For the first time, it wasn't just "Jesus died for sinners", but "Jesus died for ME."

  I now know more.  I know that I understood almost nothing about salvation twenty years ago.  I had no way of knowing how to "count the cost" of following Jesus.  I didn't realize that it was God who was drawing me to Himself.  I had no idea of all the skeptical questions about Christianity which would wrestle in my mind over the next decades.  I had no idea of the depths of sin and evil in my heart. 

  But fortunately, God is the one who saved me (and all of us who believe in Him).  I didn't save myself.  He had "set me apart" from eternity before the world was even created, and then at just the right time He "called" me and "opened my heart to believe" in Him.  Since that time He has been preserving, growing, protecting, teaching, disciplining, and wooing me.

  I am still happy...  so extremely happy about Jesus Christ!   Thank you Lord Jesus for everything You have done for me, everything You are doing for me, and everything You are currently preparing for our awesome eternal future together with all of your redeemed ones.

   

      How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,
  Whose sin is covered!
  How blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity,
  And in whose spirit there is no deceit!
  When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away
  Through my groaning all day long.
  For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me;
  My vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer. Selah. 

  
      I acknowledged my sin to You,
  And my iniquity I did not hide;
  I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD";
  And You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah. 

  
      Therefore, let everyone who is godly pray to You in a time when You may be found;
  Surely in a flood of great waters they will not reach him.
  You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble;
  You surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah. 

  
      I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go;
  I will counsel you with My eye upon you.
  Do not be as the horse or as the mule which have no understanding,
  Whose trappings include bit and bridle to hold them in check,
  Otherwise they will not come near to you.
  Many are the sorrows of the wicked,
  But he who trusts in the LORD, lovingkindness shall surround him.
  Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous ones;
  And shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart.

   

  • 12:09 am
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