Do You Know That You Know That You Know God?
My Name is Johanna Spangenberg, and This Is My Story
On September 15, 1995, something wonderful happened in my life. I was 11 years old when I truly received the Lord as my Savior. He has changed my life tremendously, and now I have a purpose in life. Please take time to read this as I share a bit about myself.
When I was two years old, my family moved from Watertown, WI, to Weatherly, PA, so my dad could preach at a Baptist church there. When I was four years old, I thought I got saved because I prayed a prayer with my dad, and I was crying, and I was sincere. But, sincerity doesn’t save a person. The Bible says in Luke 13:3, “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Also in 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is long suffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (Note: saved, salvation, and born again are Biblical concepts referring to the forgiveness of sins by God and the rescue of a person from the power and penalty of that sin. This is God’s requirement for everlasting life.)
In January, 1992, when I was eight years old, we started attending the Lehigh Valley Baptist Church. There was definitely a difference. Everyone was so friendly and understanding. My dad and mom joined the church, and I did also, basing it on my ‘salvation’ at the age of four. Around 4th grade I started having doubts about my salvation, yet every time I wondered about it, I would look back and think, “Hey, I have a time, a date, and a place. I remember praying and even crying. Besides, I’m a preacher’s kid and I’m pretty good.” I would go to church every Sunday and Wednesday, unless I was sick. I went to a Christian school. I knew all the right answers. I had plenty of Bible verses memorized. I could even say I knew who God was. However, anyone can say they know who God is, but that doesn’t mean they know God. Almost everyone knows who the President of the United States is, yet very few people really know the President personally. That was how I knew God: I knew about Him, but I did not know Him personally. I did not have a personal relationship with Him.
Over the years, God worked in my heart. I sat under the preaching of God’s Word with a heart that wanted to find out if I was really and truly saved - and a mind that said I was. My teachers cared, and most likely prayed for me every day. I had loving parents who also cared and would listen to me. Most of my friends were good kids.
But the Lord was working in my heart. I saw some of the teens and older people in our church getting saved. They said things that really made me start to think. Things like, “I was only pretending,” or “I should not have waited so long. I missed out on so much,” or “Check yourself and make sure you really know the Lord.” One preacher who came to our church made a statement that I never forgot. He said, “Do you know that you know that you know God?”
In September of 1995, our church had revival services. A special speaker, Pastor Curtman, came to preach. During one of the services, he preached on hell. He preached, “There is such a place as hell, and no matter how good you may think you are, if you are not saved, your destination is hell.” That really shook me up. I now knew where I would end up when I died, and it sure would not be a pretty place.
At the end of the service, I just knew I had to go forward and get it right with God. But my pride held me back. The Lord kept working on my heart, and by the time I was ready to give in and get saved, I was in tears. My mom asked me if I needed help, and I told her I needed to talk with someone about salvation. One of the ladies in our church talked with me. She showed me some verses from the Bible. She also showed me God’s simple plan of salvation. It was there that I realized who I really was - and Who I really needed. That day I repented of my sins and believed on the Lord Jesus Christ. To this day, I have no doubt that I am now truly saved. I also know that when I die I will go to Heaven.
Do you know that you know that you know God? Are you sure where you would end up if you died right now? Please take time to think about your eternity.