Tammy’s Testimony of Faith

I grew up going to church three times a week. I sat through endless hours of Sunday School, learning about God’s word without understanding how it applied directly to me. I kept hearing about being “saved, having faith,” and “eternal security”, but didn’t know how to have it, or where to get it. Finally, understanding that I had a need for a personal relationship with Jesus, I went to the pastor for some answers. First he explained what sin was, and then asked me if I was a sinner. To which I replied, “yes.”

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23

Next he told me that my sin separated me from God.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. “ Romans 6:23

He also explained to me that I could do nothing to earn my way into heaven and that the only thing I could do was accept God’s free gift of salvation.

“God saved you by his special favor when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” “Ephesians 2:8-9

And with those words he reached into the lower right side desk drawer and pulled out a beautifully wrapped package.  He held the present out towards me and said, “This is the gift of God’s Word to you. All you have to do is believe it and accept it as your very own.”  “Believe what?” I asked.  “Believe the Christmas story. Do you believe Luke 1 and 2 where it tells us that God sent His Son to be born of the virgin Mary?” I nodded my head yes. Next he asked, “Do you believe the Easter story? “Do you believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins?

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Do you believe that he was buried and rose again according to the scriptures?

“...Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. he was buried, and he was raised from the dead  on the third day, as the Scriptures said.” 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

Believing all that he said, I reached out and accepted the present he was handing me. I quickly untied the fancy white ribbon and tore off the red wrapping, which exposed a shiny new silver bible. The pastor said, “You have now accepted the gift of God’s word and now there’s only one thing left to do; pray and receive Christ.”

“For 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 it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that your are saved.  For “Anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:9-10,13

At that moment I bowed my head and prayed something like this,

Dear God,

I know that I have done things that are wrong and that I can’t so anything about it on my own except believe and accept that Jesus died on the cross for my sins and then rose from the grave. Please forgive me of my sins and come into my life. Thank you for giving me the Bible.

In Jesus Name, AMEN.

It was that simple, and my life hasn’t been the same since. Sure, I’ve gone through ups and owns just like everyone else, but the difference is, I have the HOPE of Christ living in me. I can rely on God 24/7 to love me, lead me, and help me through it all.