20Apr 09
Transformation by Faith
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A late 20s self-declared atheist, a 38 year old affluent contractor, a 30 year old salesman on the millionaire track, two young 12/13 year olds reared in Christian homes, and a late 20s newly wed ‘christian in name only’……….
What do each of these six individuals, in the circumstances herein described, share in common? They were, in such a state, awakened to their need for a Savior. Quickened by the Holy Spirit, they called upon the name of the Lord and were henceforth gloriously saved from eternal condemnation. Now with eyes fixed upon Christ, they courageously lead their families in the straight and narrow way (Matt. 7:13-14).
Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Rom. 10:17). When was the last time you took a moment to recall the day that you were saved by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8-9): that day wherein you were made partakers of Christ (Heb. 3:14) being miraculously delivered from the punishment of sin?
Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip (Heb. 2:1).
Yesterday, during the time of testimony and song, our church received the rich blessing of hearing each father recount his salvation testimony. It was a joyous hour as each person listened in rapt attention to six beautiful testimonies of Christ’s saving power – each different but by the same Faith. Children heard the testimony of their fathers. There was no doubt in the mind of any upon Whom each of these Patriarchs were resting. They had thrown their lot in with Christ – praise be to God!
How about you, what summarizing details or perhaps key Scripture verse(s) were instrumental in bringing you to a saving knowledge of Christ?
Let’s take a moment to remember from whence we’ve come!
That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children:
That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: Ps. 78:6-7
I’ll be the first here – at the age of 5, while attending a VBS, I heard my teacher speak of salvation. Knowing that this was what I wanted, I raised my hand during the invitation. The teacher waited atleast one night to be sure I was serious. And so it was on the first Friday of August in 1990 that dear Mrs. Johnson took me aside, presented the Gospel, and I received Christ as my personal Savior. Joy resulted and a burden for my younger sister’s salvation developed. Romans 10:13 has been a tower of truth for me when Satan brings along doubts, “For whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved.” What a promise!
Oh how great of an afternoon it was to hear those testimonies of salvation. For myself God showed me my desperate state of not knowing for sure if I would go to heaven. I feared going to hell and so wanting to make it sure I told Dad my fears. Quickly he pulled his bible out and shared with me verses from Romans. We prayed. Later, when laying in bed I had such a calmness because I knew for sure what my destiny would be after death.
Praise the Lord, Josh! Beautiful testimony.
I vividly remember watching an evangelist illustrate the consequences of sin and the redemption of Christ in Junior Church at Tabernacle Baptist in Virginia. I asked Dad about it and soon afterwords he shared the Romans Road with me and my sister in our living room. That night we both knelt by the couch and prayed to accept Jesus Christ as personal Savior. My life was changed forever! “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift” (II Corinthians 9:15).
After Scripture itself I don’t think there’s anything that touches me more than to hear of the transformations that take place through faith in Jesus Christ. The bigger the change the bigger the thrill, the greater the power, the brighter the light. No tongue can speak of the forces at work and the war raging over the little dead seeds ready to sprout as men choose to become as little children and enter the kingdom. Wish I could have been there.