Becoming a Christian
Pat Andres
Table of Contents
* Religious Education
* Doctrinal Confusion
* First Witness
* Second Witness
* Salvation
* Experience
* Conclusion
Becoming a child of God has been the most rewarding
experience of my life.
Religious Education
My religious upbringing was of the Catholic faith. I attended
Catholic school and was taught by an Order of Sisters of the
Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament. While in school I was taught
Catechism in regular class setting every day of the week. I
attended masses every day except Saturdays.
So after all the training and head knowledge, I
considered Heaven to have its doors wide open for me.
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Doctrinal Confusion
In church I always felt so spiritual with its beautiful statues and
all the gold ornamentation around the altar. High above was the
cross that Jesus hung from. I knew Jesus had died for all
mankind. This was the path which led to the entrance of Heaven.
Yes, I had learned that sins would send me to everlasting damnation
and which sins were easily forgiven if confessed to a priest. I
never considered myself a bad person., because I knew all I had to
do was stay clear of the damning sins and confess my trivial (venial
sins) ones. Sometimes my penance for sin, which was assigned by the
priest, would be 2 or 3 rosaries (a set regimen of prayers). I
tried, but by the time I started on the second bead my
thoughts were long gone, elsewhere. I just hoped or assumed
God would over look my faults.
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First Witness
Later in life, around the age of 28, I began hearing and seeing
other people saying things I never knew, such as being
saved.
I began by asking - "saved from what?" This was the beginning of the
Holy Spirit dealing with the newness and meaning of God's word. I
was shocked! How in the world could this be so different from
what I had been taught. I started with many more questions and
even began reading books. I was seeking for answers about God
and eternity.
My sister-in-law was a Christian who presented Jesus
in a way that I never knew Him. As she held up her hands and
with tears in her eyes, said she personally had pierced the hands of
Jesus. He had died for her. I was dumbfounded! She made it so
personal between Jesus and her. From that very day a seed was
planted in my heart.
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Second Witness
While working in an office, another faithful Christian began sharing
the Gospel (Good News) with me. He carried a small Bible and often
had me read God's own words about getting to Heaven. I found
this very difficult, after all, I never owned a Bible. Why
should I, my church is all that I needed. Of course, my
repetitious reply was, "I am not a bad person." I had steered
clear of the damning sins and ran to the priest for absolution of
the smaller ones.
His way was entirely too simple - no working for
forgiveness of sin. No thank you, that wasn't for me.
Once more the Holy Spirit had just planted another seed in my wicked
heart.
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Salvation
Our town was having a city-wide crusade (revival). I had been
invited to attend with friends at the City Community Center.
The evangelist speaking was driving his message home to me. I
never heard anyone speak of Jesus Christ in such a personal way.
I had thought of my sister-in-law immediately and decided there must
be truth in this preaching. They gave an invitation (a call to
personally accept Jesus as Saviour from sin) after the message and I
knew I wanted to know Jesus in this special way. When they
asked, I went down front and gave my heart to Jesus.
Experience
I had such a tremendous weight lifted off my shoulders and I saw and
heard things concerning Jesus in a way I never had before. It
was just as a light bulb had been turned on. That night I met
Jesus for the very first time, as my very own personal Saviour.
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Conclusion
For years I had all the head knowledge, but never the heart
knowledge. I thank God for my salvation, which is only through
Jesus, and for giving me three chances to receive His Son.
Otherwise, my head knowledge would have taken me to the gates of
Heaven only to find them closed to the lost sinner that I was.
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G. Steven Andres
Psalms 45:17
Missionary Evangelist
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