Coming to Christ

I came to Christ when I was twelve. Several years before that, when I was much younger, God granted to me the wonderful experience of knowing Him. As a very little girl, I was in love with Jesus. I had an exquisitely beautiful relationship with Him; a privilege, I believe, given to little children that seek him. My mother had taught simple truths to me; that Jesus was real, Jesus was present and Jesus loved me. I jumped into an intimate relationship with Him with childlike faith and enthusiasm.

Then somewhere along the way I lost that closeness. At the mature age of twelve, I became very aware of my sinful state and even more aware that my sin separated me from God. I felt so separate from Him that I didn't have the confidence to approach Him. And I desperately needed to approach Him so I could ask for forgiveness. Something seemed to block my way.

I had heard about salvation; being saved from sin through Jesus' death, but I struggled with the "how" of it. I couldn't ask my mom because, after all I was twelve and she was, you know, my mother. What could she possibly know about something so grand as eternal life? My church had no answers for me. I honestly didn't know anyone that I thought could answer this very important question; what must I do to be saved. I was desperate!

So, I wrote letters to Billy Graham and to Oral Roberts. And they answered! And, lo and behold, because their answers were the same I knew I could trust them. I probably prayed the prayer of salvation a dozen times before I could fully accept that God heard me and welcomed me into His Family.

I was a child of God!!! And I was in no way disappointed. It was an amazing time for me. I couldn't stop talking about it. I couldn't get enough of God's Word! To her delight, my mother was my sounding board. We talked for hours and almost every day. I couldn't get over the amazement of the Presence of Jesus. I'd ask often, “You mean He's right here, right now, hearing everything we're saying?”

Unbeknownst to both of us, my father was often listening from another room. Years later, when he was giving his testimony in a church, I heard him say, "When I listened to my wife and daughter talking in the kitchen, it dawned on me for the first time that Jesus wasn't merely a historical figure. I knew that He was real and present today." My father, who rarely went to church, became one of the most vibrant, loving Christians I've ever known. He became a Bible study leader and a lay pastor in the Methodist church and preached from many pulpits.

If you've also struggled with the question of the "how" of salvation, realize this; it's much simpler than you think. God is seeking you. The door is open. He is waiting to welcome you.

You need to recognize that you are a sinner and you need a Savior. Jesus is the One you need; the only One that can fill that role. Ask Him for forgiveness for ALL of your sins. Ask Him to save you. Thank Him for dying in your place and paying the penalty for your sin. Invite Him to come in to your heart, your spirit. Ask Him to be your Lord for eternity.

You won't be perfect from now on. You won't be sinless. But you will be forgiven. You will, from now on, be a Heaven-bound, child of God, indwelt by His Holy Spirit. And, because He now lives in you, He will begin to transform you from the inside out. That’s why the Bible says we will be a new creation.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

You need to become a student of God's Word. You need to memorize key Bible verses. You need to find a Bible believing church and become a regular church attendee so you can grow. You need to surround yourself with other believers; others that will encourage you and pray for you.

But most of all, you need to cultivate your new relationship with your Lord and Savior. Talk to Him! A lot! Every day! Many times throughout the day! About EVERYTHING! Your hopes. Your fears. Your struggles. Your weaknesses. Your sins.

Never, never, NEVER let anything or anybody pull you away from Him.

I would love to hear your story of how you came to Christ.

And I would love to pray for you.