IN ME FIRST. 1st Timothy 1:16 Christians should serve as examples of faith, which includes sharing key aspects of our past lives before embracing Christ. The “before” part should describe how the awareness of sin awakened us to our need for salvation. The “how” part should explain how guilt and repentance caused us to stop and address the issue of salvation without delaying further. The work of the Spirit and the Word of God bring light and understanding to the repentant seeker, and the Holy Spirit grants spiritual life that is not dependent on feelings or emotions, but on a firm conviction that what God says is true for me. The “after” part of the conversion experience involves relief, gratitude to God, and a desire to confess Christ as Savior and Lord.
Summarizing your testimony of salvation in just a few words isn't easy. Many thoughts come to mind as we reflect on how God saved us. Reviewing our conversion story often reveals many elements we might not have realized or even considered as part of what led us to call on the Lord. The longer we're saved, the clearer we can see God's hand in bringing us to Him. Specifically, how God saved us can be summarized in a few brief sentences: who we were before salvation, what led us to repentance, how the Spirit and the Word brought new life, and the changes in our lives since.
In a few short words in Galatians chapter one, Paul shares his testimony and, in doing so, presents the entire Gospel message. “It pleased God,” salvation is a work of God; “who called me by His grace,” salvation is an undeserved work of God; “to reveal His Son in me,” salvation is a planned work of God; “that I might preach Him,” salvation is a purposeful work of God.
Becoming aware of his sin and guilt brought trembling and wonder at God's great mercy and grace. A truly repentant sinner who fully yields to the Lord Jesus will act in faith, even if he is not aware of his voice calling on the name of the Lord. Faith is demonstrated when someone speaks to the Lord Jesus, and true repentance shows when there is a cry for mercy, forgiveness, and a clear submission. Taking personal responsibility for one’s sin and accepting that guilt has lasting effects moves a humble heart to seek the Lord. When we call on Him from the heart, mercy is given. Confession of faith will include words of accepting the gift of eternal life, gratitude for God's grace in providing a Savior, and a commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord. Then, like Paul, a true convert is easily guided to do what the Lord commands.
When people around us see why it matters so much to us, they may also start to value it. When we were in our sins, the Lord's patience and longsuffering toward us might lead them to think about themselves and their condition before Him.
God’s faithfulness to us during our hesitations and doubts, His love when we ignore His word, and His grace revealed to us are all part of our testimony as a pattern for those who will believe in Him. A pattern is not a template because each person is different and will come to the Lord in their own unique way. Over 185 times in the New Testament, faith in Christ is the only condition for salvation.
The Gospel message is that God’s Son intentionally left heaven to become a human on earth. He was “found in fashion as a man” to identify Himself as the only perfect man who could be our perfect substitute before holy justice. He died for our sins, was buried, and rose again as the Victor over our sins and their consequences.
He did not have to die because he was sinless, but He voluntarily gave His life as a ransom for us. His body was laid in a borrowed tomb for the weekend, but a new day dawned at His resurrection from the dead. The ongoing results of what He accomplished are eternal blessings for millions of people saved by His grace from the power of sin in this life and judgment that is coming on those who reject Him and will not believe God.
There's no point in me telling others about a life full of meaning and purpose if I’m involved in conflicts over issues that seem trivial to others. If I try to push my opinion on them, they’ll just walk away. People have a right to expect to see Christ lived out in me as a pattern for them, both as Christians and as what they aspire to be. New believers need to see the life of Christ in the flesh so they can shape their lives in truth and righteousness.
I have experienced mercy when I deserved condemnation. There should be some joy in me as proof of daily salvation, showing that I am freed from judgment and the powerful grip of sin by the ungrieved, gracious Holy Spirit who now lives within me. I often observe younger Christians and wonder if they can see something of Christ reflected in my actions and words. I also wonder if the expressions on my face reveal my gratitude for God’s great love and grace.
Is there some challenge within me that they can truly see, showing that it is possible to be who God wants me to be while living here on earth? Is there love for the people around me that can be seen in my face, so they rise to the challenge of filling my place? I have to face the fact that I am now getting older, and it is impossible to lead the same way I once did or physically bear the burdens of others as I did in the past. God has allowed me the privilege to bear. Can those who see and know me recognize a life they can share?
I have received mercy, learned a lot, and experienced many blessings that come with serving God. Now, I want to pass on with compassion what I know and have learned through my experiences as a pattern for those who follow, so they can genuinely feel compassion for people in need of the Savior.