For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God– Ephesians 2:8 NIV
And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. James 2:23
I knelt in a pew of our ornate sanctuary before the time of the holy sacrament of communion. An ancient icon of Jesus stared through me. This was a sacred time, where I sensed guilt and trepidation. I felt unworthy of God’s forgiveness. If I could see him with my eyes, surely his face would appear as stern as stone. I saw God as a Judge, not a loving God and definitely not as a Friend.
My Past Life
On most Sundays my family and I attended church. I spent my life at high school during the week and in parties on the weekends, where drinking to excess was the norm. A strong desire for beautiful women influenced me. My shyness with them protected me from a great deal of harm. In many ways, I acted as a normal teenager, but before the Lord I was a sinner and I knew it.
I also struggled with a fear of the future. I wondered what to do with my life as I tried to decide which colleges to apply for. At times, my mind raced with confusion when I wondered what lay before me. One day I received a flyer in the mail inviting me to attend a three-day weekend at Wheaton College to learn about the school. My visit to the college included a free ticket to a gospel concert with the former Santana singer, Leon Patillo. It was here that my understanding of true Christianity took root.
More than a Concert
In between his skillful keyboard playing and soulful singing, he spoke of his relationship with Jesus. He communicated to the audience as though he knew Jesus as a Friend. I was intrigued. Leon explained that Jesus paid the price for our sins on the cross and He offered us a relationship with him because of it. I also learned that salvation was a gift from God that we receive by grace through faith. I learned I could have a confidence that I would go to heaven when I die.
Transformation of my life began with a simple prayer to ask Jesus to forgive me and start my life anew.
At the end of the concert, Leon invited those that wanted to receive the gift of salvation to come to the front of the concert hall. I was nervous and a battle ensued within me. A woman gently asked me if I would like to go forward. I nodded and walked to the front. The singer led us in a prayer to make Jesus the Lord and Savior of our lives. I didn’t understand all that my commitment entailed, but somehow, I knew I was turning from my old sinful life into something new and beautiful.
Since then, I have come to know God as a good Father and my best friend. Over time, my problem with lust lost its grip on me. I no longer dread the future, and I am confident that my forever home is in heaven.
You Can Know Him Too
If you haven’t already, you can experience the same transformation. God loves you, and He desires to have you as His child. He is not the stern Judge that I thought He was. God is a kind Father who wants the best for His children.
If you are interested in beginning a friendship with the Creator of the Universe and the Lover of your soul, pray the following prayer.
Dear Father God,
Thank you for sending Jesus to die in my place on the cross for my forgiveness. I confess to you that I am a sinner in need of your grace. Jesus, be the Lord and Savior of my life. I surrender all to You my God and my Friend. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
You have now embarked on a grand adventure. You are allowing Jesus to take control of your life. Here are some things for you to begin doing, to grow in your new relationship with the Lord.
- Read the Bible Daily– it is food for the soul.
- Talk to your Heavenly Father. He is Your Friend, and He will talk to you as well.
- Start attending a loving, Spirit-filled church that teaches from the Bible.
- Tell others about your newfound relationship with Jesus.
