When my whole family were all still living at home, the six of us would gather around the table every evening for
dinner, and afterwards we would always have a Bible study and prayer time. We read the passage about Lydia’s conversion in Philippi, which is found in Acts 16. After Dad had finished explaining this dramatic conversion, and how we all ought to follow Lydia’s example, we prayed; after which I broke down in tears. I had an overwhelming fear of dread and anxiety, and after a small chat with my parents, I understood that one day I was going to die, and all the things I had done were going to be exposed before God, and then I would go to hell. I hadn't realised that for me, 8 year old me, there was hope. Matthew 10:29-31 says this: "Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows." My Mum suggested we should pray together to ask God for my salvation. Asking me if I truly believed, we prayed and asked the Lord to save me from every wrongdoing that I’ve committed. It was at this point that I believe I was born again. 1 John Chapter 1 and verse 9 puts it simply: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Becoming a Christian doesn't make you perfect. Often I hear the phrase "All Christians are are hypocrites", and to an extent, this is true. To strive for a life similar to that of Jesus' should be a Christian's goal, but this isn't what makes someone a Christian. The hymn writer Joseph Hart summarises this nicely, in one of my favourite hymns. O beware of fondly thinking God accepts thee for thy tears; Are the shipwrecked saved by sinking? Can the ruined rise by fears? O beware of trust ill-grounded; 'Tis but fancied faith at most, To be cured, and not be wounded; To be saved before you're lost. Praying, reading my Bible and attending Church, being charitable and morally stable are all fruits of someone who has given their life to God, but it's not enough to get to Heaven. Above all else, I have faith that the Lord will deliever me no matter what my state, and that I might one day sing his praises in a perfect Heaven, having conquered death through the Lord Jesus Christ. My prayer would be that this is the same for you. "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" (1 Corinthians 15:55-57)
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David Wood
David is the youngest of Pastor Tim's four children. He deals with the upkeep of the technology at Wigmore and has been a faithful member since 2021, baptised in 2018. |
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