Testimonies

---

I believe that there is a reality to saving faith. The Apostle Paul wrote the following in 2 Corinthians 1:21-22, "Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

When you purchase a house you give the seller "earnest money." This is typically a few hundred dollars that shows the seller that you're, "putting your money where your mouth is" so to speak. Now, let's imagine that the seller never actually received the earnest money. You only told them that you have given it to them? The earnest money would be pointless!

The earnest of the Spirit is the deposit that God gives us to, "put His glory where His Word is" so to speak! He not only tells us in His Word that Christ has paid it all, when we truly trust Christ with all of our heart, He proves it with the Spirit!

Paul said in Romans 8:16, "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God." The wtiness of the Spirit is the earnest of the Spirit. Paul is telling us, over and over again, that there is a reality, an assurance that is given to us and produced by God the moment we are saved.

I received this assurnace on Dec 19th 2012 in my bedroom, as I read through Romans 7 and got to Romans 8:1, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." I believe that, for the first time truly in my heart, and I was saved in an instant!

Peace flooded my heart. I was filled with joy unspeakable. My anxiety was gone. My sin debt was gone. I knew for sure that my sins were forgiven and I was saved. There was a reality to it!

I'm not alone in this. Look into the salvation testimonies of the men and women of old, such as Charles Spurgeon, D.L. Moody, John Wesley and others. You will see that they had similar savlation testiminomies. Testimonies of something happening, peace coming, and a complete change afterwords. 

Do I think it's all about feelings? Am I a charismatic? No. But I do believe that, "There's a reality to it!" So why is it important that I tell others? Because I'm afraid there are many today who are religious and lost. Before we can be saved, we must first realize we are lost.

When were you saved? What part did God play in your salvation testimony? Did He play a part in it, or was it just a repeated prayer and profession? If you're afraid that it was, "the will of man" and not a work of God, would you come to Christ right now, just like that leper, owning up to it all, with nothing to offer but a life of sin, and trust on the Lord Jesus Christ? He saves lost worldly sinners and lost religious sinners alike.

Matthew 11:28-30, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Josh Spaulding is pastor of Bible Baptist Mission in Washington, Indiana, author of "The Reality of Saving Faith" and publisher of EternalAnswers.org. 

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE AS A MEMBER OR VISITOR