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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Dead End (02/06/14)
"What am I supposed to believe?" I demanded of no one in particular. My mind was befuddled after our youth group had heard one more speaker imploring the kids to "come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ", as he said. He had painted a very graphic picture of the anguish we would experience if we did not have this "saving faith". I was frightened and confused. I certainly didn't want the suffering he depicted. But my mind was on overload. How was I to know if I had this faith? Every speaker had different words to say to be led to Christ.
I understood that all of us have sinned. I believed that Jesus died so that we could be forgiven. I had admitted my unworthiness and promised God that I would serve him. I wanted to live my life for Christ. But was there something else I needed to do to be assured of eternal life? I was genuinely perplexed. What if I had not used the right words - not done it right? What if I was missing something? My questions slammed me against a brick wall, and I was not finding a way to the other side.
That was more than forty years ago, but I still remember quite vividly the agony of questioning whether I really was a Christian, even though I had a very strong faith. Through the years I have heard many expressions used for committing your life to God: getting saved, accepting Christ as your Savior, kneeling at the altar, giving your heart to Jesus, opening the door of your heart, making a decision, and numerous variations of each of these terms.
In the early years of my Christian life, each time I heard new terminology for coming to a saving faith, I would question the validity of the way I had given my life to God. It took years for me to be at peace with my questions, but gradually the warmth of my relationship with God filled me with a certainty that this relationship is all the assurance of everlasting life I need. The words I used when I came to know Christ are not the issue. It is the depth of the friendship I have with God the Father. He is, truly, my best friend, and the one with whom I share my life each day. I know He loves me, and I love Him with my whole heart.
In a letter to Timothy Paul writes, "Remind them of this, and warn them before God that they are to avoid wrangling over words, which does no good but only ruins those who are listening." (See II Timothy 2:14 NRSV.) These words have broken a hole in my brick wall. I can say with the confidence of the hymn writer Fanny Crosby, "Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine. O what a foretaste of glory divine."
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Member Comments
Member
Date
C D Swanson 
02/13/14
Good devotional with issues to ponder upon.

God bless~
Toni Hammer
02/14/14
Great devotional, I struggled with the same thing for many years. Thanks for sharing.
LaCretia Peters
02/18/14
I too struggled with these issues early in my Christian life. I am so thankful today to have the Blessed Assurance you mentioned. What an important testimony to share with early Christians and those still finding their way!! Beautiful!!
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
02/21/14
Congratulations on ranking 9th in your level!! The highest rankings can be found on the message boards.