06/05/2023
I want to share my personal journey of faith and how I recently experienced a transformative realization. I was baptized at an earlier age and believed I had received salvation, but as time went on, I began to question whether there was genuine fruit in my life. Satan, the great deceiver, made me question so many things. How could this be? I grew up in church. I prayed when I was eight years old. But this verse hit home:
Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?” And then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness. – Matthew 7:21-23
It was through various conversations with close family and friends that I realized that the mark of true discipleship is not simply hearing and believing but believing and doing. The Wise man builds his house on the rock. By this, we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. Salvation is not merely a one-time event but an ongoing process of growth, transformation, and surrender to God's will. The only validation we can ever have of salvation is a life of obedience. James 1:22 says, “Be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”
I share this testimony not to boast of my accomplishments but to humbly acknowledge God's grace and faithfulness in guiding me on this path of discovery. I encourage others who may be questioning their own spiritual journey to seek God with an open heart, diligently study His Word, and invite His transformative power into their lives. Let us all work out our salvation with fear and trembling, trusting in His unfailing love and grace.
While my journey is ongoing and I still face challenges along the way, I am filled with gratitude for this transformative experience. I have come to understand that salvation is a daily commitment to grow in faith, deepen my relationship with Him, and allow His Spirit to produce genuine fruit in my life.
