|
Joy
McCarnan
Executive Editor
|
Joy's
Personal Testimony
I was
blessed to grow up under the godly ministry of Christian parents,
pastors, and teachers. At different times, I attended a public
school and a Christian school, and my family also homeschooled
for a while.
Being
a good kid made a lot of sense to me, and I tried hard to
be right with everyone and to do everything right. I did not
want to be a disappointment to anyone. I had learned about
God and wanted to be right with Him. I prayed a lot, tried
to obey, and I responded to invitations after Gospel sermons.
I made a lot of decisions about Jesus, music, and friends.
For a long time I was able to convince myself and everyone
else that I was a devoted Christian. But Someone was missing.
It was
not until the summer of my senior year in high school that
the simple Gospel message finally "clicked" in my mind and
heart. I was working on the summer staff of a Christian camp.
I realized I could not pray for campers to respond to the
preaching if I was unwilling to respond myself. So I decided
that I would listen to God's Word and obey, no matter what
He brought to my attention. I was surprised and upset when
God showed me that I had been counting on my past memories,
public testimony, and Bible knowledge to give me peace about
being right with Him. Through His Word and by His grace, God
made it clear to me that Christ is the One Who does the saving,
and that I needed to count on Christ to save me.
Lots of
religious people know deep things about God and do good deeds
in His name, but few people have a sincere, personal relationship
with God. Since that summer at camp, God has continued to
change me and teach me that authentic Christianity is in Jesus
Christ alone--not in my own goodness or good works. And since
I called upon Jesus and am trusting Him, He has been making
me right with God and giving me peace about eternal life.
I share
K4T's burden to help children understand the Gospel without
confusion. I hope to encourage them to love, obey, and count
on Christ. I am thankful that God saved this "good kid" and
that He continues to teach me and grow me into a genuine Christian,
by His grace.
|
