I am a Christian. I hope you are too, and if not, I hope that something I write here might help you to become one. It is a decision you will never regret, and a decision that should not be delayed.
Christianity helps me endure the difficulties of this life and gives me the knowledge that these things are temporary and that if we follow Christ they will not follow us into eternity.
Christianity is the only way of life that leads to salvation. It is not found in Islam, Hinduism or Buddhism. Jesus said: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). The Apostle Peter said: “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
We do not earn salvation by good works. The Apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:8-9: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.”
We do not merit salvation by our good works. Our salvation is purchased by the perfect obedience and the blood of Christ. Our good works are the fruit of salvation as we read in Ephesians 2:10: “For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
After decades of trying to earn my salvation I have learned that I am “wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked” (Revelation 3:17).
Like the Apostle Paul I can say: “I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do – this I keep on doing…. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God – through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:18-19, 24-25).
My wife and I are the proud parents of an autistic son. It is like having a 3-year-old in a 16-year-old body. Despite the love and support of family and friends, autism leaves us exhausted and financially devastated. We do not know why our family suffers with autism other than that we live in a fallen world. Some would ask why God permits such things, but we pity those who suffer such things and do not know the Lord. We look forward to that day when Christ “will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away" (Revelation 21:4). We pray that God will be glorified in healing our son in this life, but we know that he will not be autistic in heaven.
After the apostles preached on the first Pentecost, the people asked what they should do. Peter replied: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Seek a Christ-centered church, one that preaches the Word without apology and encourages members to develop a relationship with Christ through daily prayer and Bible study. We cannot choose not to attend as we read in Hebrews 10:25: “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
That was my testimony, and I would like to hear yours. Please drop me an email at tom.hanson@thomashanson.com. I would like to pray for you and help you in any way I can.
