On October 12, 1981, 45 years ago today, I became born again, when I knelt at my bedside at 11:15PM and asked Jesus to come into my life. Today, 45 years later, as I reflect back on my Christian walk so many things come to mind that I thought it might be good to share just a few of the joys of what being a Christian has meant to me. I hope that these reflections might prove an encouragement to my dear fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
Forgiveness
I have learned that doing good works or trying to be a good person may gain approval from the people around you but won’t get one to heaven. Scripture tells us that we all have sinned and because of this fact we have become spiritually separated from God. Thankfully, when I came to Christ, through repentance of sin and accepting His free gift of salvation, Jesus forgave my sins and transformed my standing with Him from sinner to saint.
Before I came to Christ forgiving others was exceedingly difficult because I had little knowledge about what forgiveness is and what it is not. Now, as a Christian, I have learned that God commands us to forgive others, gives us the ability to do this, because He has transformed our hearts, and has shown me that forgiveness is not a feeling but a choice. Armed with these great insights on forgiveness and my transformed heart I now know that I can forgive others and can now rejoice even more that God chose to forgive a sinner like me.
Joy
Before coming to Christ, I believed joy and happiness were the same. I now understand that happiness depends on favorable circumstances, while joy flows from obedience to the Lord’s commands. I have also learned that I was not placed on earth merely to be happy, but to be holy. I now know that joy is something that I can always have as I walk in the commandments of the Lord. Today, pleasing Jesus is my greatest passion, and experiencing the joy of the Lord my greatest blessing.
Jesus and the Bible
The day I gave my heart to Jesus, everything changed. I developed a desire to read the Bible—a book I had once mocked as a crutch for the weak. I now know that I am saved by grace alone, that my citizenship is in heaven, and that I no longer view the things I do for others and Christ as a sacrifice, but as a privilege. Knowing Jesus has totally transformed my heart and mind. I now have a new value system, a new motivation for living, and a new book – the Bible – that serves as my compass for living.
Purpose and Destiny
Before I became a believer in Christ, my purpose was to make a lot of money, become famous, and be happy. However, without a belief in God, my destiny was to one day die and go back to dust. Today, my purpose is so much more than me, myself, and I. It’s to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. It’s to be a light to the lost and an ambassador for Christ. And it to experience the joy of the Lord each and every day. And as far as my destiny – it’s to spend eternity with Christ in a perfect place called heaven!
The day I gave my heart to Jesus, 45 years ago today, was the greatest day of my life. Today, as I reflect back, I praise God that He sought after me – a lost sinner, opened my blind eyes, illuminated my cold heart, and saved my soul. Today, every day is a glorious adventure with my Lord and Savior – Jesus Christ!