WHY I AM A CHRISTIAN (Part IV)
I AM A BELIEVER. Today, I
will share one more reason for my decision to become a Christian
disciple. Indeed, there are many.
REASON #4
I have personally witnessed THE SOVEREIGN HAND OF GOD, moving in and around my life.
Each one of the redeemed has a powerful personal testimony,
whether we know it or not, whether we tell it or not. With your
permission, I would like to share just a portion of my own.
Long before my birth, “prevenient grace” (John and Charles
Wesley’s theological term) orchestrated the conditions for my existence in this
world. Godly parents (and grandparents) set the stage for a very early
encounter with Christ. Thankfully, I was bathed in fervent prayer, surrounded
by Christian values and virtues. To wit, nine siblings and I never heard
our parents utter a single word of profanity, never witnessed them smoking a
single cigarette or imbibing a single glass of any alcoholic substance.
In a word, Jesus Christ was the spiritual head of our home and His Word was our
constant companion.
I remember two modest plaques hanging on our dining room
wall: “In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths” – and
another, “There is no other name given among men whereby we must be
saved.” I suppose these scriptures were unofficial Bass family
themes. Our father was an esteemed man of God, a pastor, a hard-working
provider and an exceptional role model. Our mother meticulously cared for
her family and home – cradling us in loving nurture and covering us with daily
prayer. We were never permitted to leave home for school without first
bowing on our knees before Our Father and being anointed with blessed oil.
Thanks to the purposefully spiritual environment fostered
by our parents, by the tender age of eight, I had more than sufficient
knowledge of the gospel to recognize my personal need for the Savior. By
His grace, I accepted salvation and developed a lifelong relationship with our
Lord.
At age fifteen, I was miraculously called into the
ministry. Although I had been saddled with a major speech impediment, God
healed me and empowered me to do something I never imagined I could, to speak
boldly before congregations large and small.
On a personal level, I know Jesus Christ as The Great
Physician. I am a cancer survivor. I am still here by the grace of
God. Beyond any shadow of doubt, our God is truly great, and greatly to
be praised!
Additionally, Jehovah Jireh has come to my financial rescue
more times than I can recall. I know Him to be “a very present help in
trouble.” (Psalm 46:1) What a mighty God we serve!
And years ago, when I was a backslider, momentarily turning
my back on God, His unconditional love sought me and brought me back into the
family fold. Oh, how He loves you and me!
Now, by the grace of God, I am what I am. My
accomplishments may be modest, but daily I can sense His presence and His
power; and, I am eternally grateful for an intimate and eternal connection with
Jesus Christ. There are no other alternatives for me; there is no other
way that I choose to live. From my heart, I joyously echo the words of
the Apostle Peter, “Lord, to whom shall we go? YOU have the words of
eternal life.” (John 6:68)
Thank you, Father, for allowing me the privilege and power
of sonship. Thank you, Jesus, for dying
vicariously in my place and securing my salvation and victory, both now and
forevermore. Amen.
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