SALVATION TESTIMONIES IV

Not I but Christ

By the grace of God, I was born into a Christian family and had been brought to Calvary Pandan Bible-Presbyterian Church from a young age. I came to know the Lord Jesus Christ and accepted Him as my Lord and Saviour, and was baptized in 2000 when I was in Primary One.

I reaffirmed my faith in 2008 when I was in Secondary Three. Yet even after being saved, sin continued to be present in my life and affect me, even as it continues to exist in this human flesh. There would be many occasions when I would be caught up in the things of this world, seeking after its pleasures, joys and successes while still struggling to live a life faithful to Christ. Despite attending church and enjoying the study of God’s Word, I also enjoyed the entertainment that this world offered, and I often had doubts if I was truly saved in the first place because of this.

Even during times when I was less than interested in pursuing the things of God, I thank Him that He continued to keep me in Him that I would not deny Him ultimately. For instance, I was very concerned about my performance in school, and God would often use this to draw me closer to Him. Bad grades often discouraged me, yet I knew from Job’s example that I should not, and hence could not, question God on the grades that He had given to me. I would turn back to Him, being reminded that the things of this world was not what I should be seeking after, and that He alone, and the things of God, was sufficient for me. It was during such times when I would thank God for His reassurance, that once I was saved, I would never be forsaken.

In 2012, however, my doubts about my salvation exacerbated along with other negative thoughts that I had at that time, and soon I wondered if God could ever love someone who was still struggling with sin. I focused so much on how I was unworthy of God’s love that I was convinced that
I was beyond saving. However, through the Word of God that was preached in church on Sunday, and thus being reminded of what I had learnt all these years from the Bible, I was soon reminded that it was not what I could do or did, but what Jesus had already done for me by dying on the cross, by being buried and by rising again from the dead, and that by believing on Him and His completed work, I could be and have been saved. I was strengthened by this thought, and from then on my confidence in my salvation was no more in myself and what I could do or did, but in the perfect work of Christ. I thank God for helping me to realise this fact, and by so doing pulled me out from much sadness that I was going through then.

In 2014, my family and I moved to Blessed Hope Bible-Presbyterian Church where we would help during its inception and early years. I am grateful to God for allowing me to serve in a greater capacity for Him there through the music ministry, the youth fellowship and the PA ministry. In 2015, we moved to True Life Bible-Presbyterian Church, where we have been ever since. God willing, by transferring my membership to this church, I would be able to serve in a greater capacity, even as I continue on the journey of sanctification to that perfect, sinless body that God has promised to His children. Gabriel O.

God Is Real and in Control

I have been attending church ever since I was young, as both of my parents are faithful and devout Christians. I heard the gospel on Christmas day when I was Primary One and was convicted by the fact that Jesus died with such suffering and pain on the cross for my sins. I accepted Christ as my Saviour.

I was baptised when I was Primary Three and reaffirmed my faith at 17. Today, like any other Christians, I face the constant daily struggle to be a better and faithful Christian. There would always be temptations of glory, lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes. I would often stumble and fall back into sin like “a dog returneth to his vomit” (Prov 26:11). God would often chastise me through either my parents or my daily activities.

My prayer life may not be strong but God often sends me reminders and trials which encouraged me to rely on Him. I would try to read His Word on a daily basis. I thank the Lord for sustaining me so far and providing me weekly Sunday messages and fellowships.

I also thank the Lord for God-loving parents. Through my parents’ testimonies, their love for God and their daily naggings, I was able to be encouraged spiritually and experience God. There are other instances where I experienced God when I prayed. I would always remind myself that God is real and He is in control. He is Judge and I need to be accountable to Him.

Even though God blessed me with such parents and opportunities to serve God in the church, I must say that I am not a strong Christian. There were instances where I stood up for Him and sought to be a faithful Christian, but there were more instances where I failed the test. I failed to trust Him, I got so easily discouraged and I backslided or even do something stupid. “Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams” (1 Sam15:22b). May the Lord continue to sustain me in this walk with Him. May He grant me more faithfulness to obey His commandments, more humility to follow His will, against my wilful spirit and stubborn worldly desires: “A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps” (Prov 16:9). May He help me to be less selfish, love others more and have patience for others. May He enable me to overcome my carnal selfish nature to forgive and forget my transgressors.

Lastly, I pray that the Lord will help me to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and to glorify Him in everything I do. Indeed, it is easier for me to write than to do all these things. It will be a continuous battle for us Christians to strive and struggle against our sinful nature until the Lord comes. May He say to us, “Well done, my good and faithful servant” (Matt 25:21). Phoebe O.

Christ Has Changed Me Much

The first time I heard the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ was when I was 8 years old. My primary school classmate shared the gospel with me. She also taught me how to pray. At that time, I was very frightened to let my family members know as my mother had told me before that I could not believe in any other religion. So I followed my mother in Buddhism. After more than 10 years, my eldest sister brought me to church. I was very frightened in this church because the church members spoke in tongues. Thereafter, my eldest sister and I did not go to church for many years.

Some years later, I got to know new friends who brought me to join the Japanese religion. I left the religion after I found their teachings to be different—one can use the hand to give light to people and to heal sickness. I’m very fearful to have believed in a cult.

I held no religious beliefs for the next few years, until one day my work was not smooth and I was in depression. My colleague shared the gospel with me and told me only the Lord Jesus Christ can save me. I began to pray to find the Lord Jesus. I told my sister I went to church that spoke in tongues and my sister told me that church is not the right choice. My sister brought me to True Life B-P Church to let me learn more about the teachings of Jesus.

I believe in the existence of God. I believe Jesus Christ can save mankind. So I prayed to the Lord Jesus Christ to let me find a true church where I can find my heavenly Father. In November 2016, I repented of my sins and accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour. Praise the Lord. I want to be baptised in True Life B-P Church, and to know more of God’s Word.

After believing in the Lord, the Lord Jesus Christ has changed me much and I’m also more cheerful and my life smoother. Yap ML

Thank God for Forgiving Me

My name is Juai Seu and I come from a Christian family. I live in a home with my parents and 3 siblings. When I first heard about Jesus resurrecting from the dead, I did not believe this as I thought it would be impossible for someone to rise from the dead. I still did not believe in Christ the following years. I just went to church and go through the motions. My junior worship teachers also asked my class whether we believed in Christ. I saw most of my classmates raise their hands and so I followed them. I was often late for church too.

However, when I was 10 or 11 years old, we went to our church camp in Bali and I was taught the end of times. I was scared of the things that will happen in the future then. My teacher, auntie Joycelyn, asked us whether we have or have not believed in Christ. Out of fear, I didn’t raise my hand. I stayed back at the end of class and auntie Joycelyn explained to me why we must believe in Jesus. After that, we prayed the sinner’s prayer and I believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. After that, when I went to church, I paid attention during class and I took down notes. But sometimes I still misbehaved in class but I prayed for forgiveness in the end.

Thank God for forgiving me of all my sins and converting me to believe in Him. All praise and glory be to God. Amen. Han JS

Without God, We Are Nothing

I was born into a Christian family. Going to church was a routine for me. As a small boy, I looked forward to the end of the service when my parents would bring me out for lunch. When I grew older, I felt guilty for not listening to my teachers during Bible lessons. My mind often wandered off. Being an ADHD kid, I have problems concentrating, more so when I did not take my medicine. Realising my error, I decided to listen attentively during Bible lessons. However, my mind still drifted often. When I was in P3, I felt that I was not close to the LORD. Whenever I lose my temper with my family members, I feel as if God is trying to tell me something, to stop being so impatient with my family and to answer them nicely.

During one particular Bible lesson, I felt I needed to be saved. I know that JESUS died on the cross for my sins and shed His precious blood for the remission of sins, that whosoever believes in Him shall go to heaven. Without Him, we are nothing, but with Him we are something. After lunch that day, I went home and prayed that JESUS would save me and I would be truly born again. I also prayed to have more patience with my family members. Whenever I lose my patience, I feel bad after realizing my mistake, and will therefore apologise. Please help me GOD. Erasmus C.

Easter Service: Session giving right hand of fellowship to new members.