It Was My Choice
My name is Jenn, and this is my story.
As a young child I attended church regularly. I even attended a Christian school. As I was taught through the Bible, I knew the truth about what God had said. Even so, as I grew up I had no true relationship with the Lord. There was no time in my life that I made it personal to me.
As I grew up, I chose which rules to follow and which rules not to follow. I believed I was a “good” girl for the most part, although I was selfish and self-centered. I never had a true peace in my heart which I longed for. I heard messages all the time in church, but I was hesitant to trust God and His Word. I read Acts 16:31 which says, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved,” but I wondered if He would truly accept me if I surrendered my heart to Him. I struggled to attain the peace, security and joy that salvation offers. If I waited long enough, would the perfect time just come? I never had a true peace in my heart, which I longed for.
As I grew up, I chose which rules to follow and which rules not to follow. I believed I was a “good” girl for the most part, although I was selfish and self-centered. I never had a true peace in my heart which I longed for. I heard messages all the time in church, but I was hesitant to trust God and His Word. I read Acts 16:31 which says, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved,” but I wondered if He would truly accept me if I surrendered my heart to Him. I struggled to attain the peace, security and joy that salvation offers. If I waited long enough, would the perfect time just come? I never had a true peace in my heart, which I longed for.
Time passed and the Lord was showing me sin in my life, but I still felt that I was not that bad. I knew my sins were wrong, but I didn’t feel sorry for them. It was not a big deal to me at the time. I was praying and hoping my mind would change so I could get saved. I thought it had to do with my thoughts and my changes.
"I never had a true peace in my heart, which I longed for."
However, the Lord showed me the way that I was thinking. I thought that by me changing (my good works) I would then be allowed to be saved. I thought if I obeyed in the future or tried harder it would make up for the past wrongs. But my self-righteousness could never satisfy God. Isaiah 64:6 says, “We are all as an unclean thing and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.”
The Lord began to show me that I just needed to believe what He says and obey. Acts 16:31, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.“ This is a command, but it is also our choice. It is a choice that has to be made, and is made one way or the other. I knew I couldn’t wait until everything was exactly right, or until I knew all the answers, I just knew God said today is the day and I chose it.
The Lord began to show me that I just needed to believe what He says and obey. Acts 16:31, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.“ This is a command, but it is also our choice. It is a choice that has to be made, and is made one way or the other. I knew I couldn’t wait until everything was exactly right, or until I knew all the answers, I just knew God said today is the day and I chose it.
"We can either choose to reject His offer of salvation, or we can choose to seek and accept what God offers us.”
At a teen camp I finally made that choice to believe God and accept Him as my Lord and Savior. I came just as I was. I knew I couldn’t wait until everything was exactly right, or until I knew all the answers, I just knew God said today is the day and I chose it. 2 Corinthians 6:2, “Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
Romans 10:13, “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” He receives sinners and He changes them!
Romans 10:13, “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” He receives sinners and He changes them!
Since being saved, it has been a joy to see how God has changed my way of thinking. It was nothing I did on my own. I let God work. It was when I allowed Him to speak to my heart that I found rest in my soul. I came as I was. My sins were laid on Him. We can either choose to reject His offer of salvation, or we can choose to seek and accept what God offers us. 2 Corinthians 5:21, “He made Him to be sin for us.” Isaiah 53:6, “The Lord laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” He stood in my place on the cross and paid the penalty for my sins as if He did them Himself. He redeemed me from hell.
Nothing can separate me from Him now. Romans 8:38-39, “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
I repented and turned from my sin and God gave me the faith I needed to trust in His promises. I am grateful that God was patient with me and showed me the truth. I know it is a choice each of us has to make. We can either choose to reject His offer of salvation, or we can choose to seek and accept what God offers us. What choice are you making right now?
Nothing can separate me from Him now. Romans 8:38-39, “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
I repented and turned from my sin and God gave me the faith I needed to trust in His promises. I am grateful that God was patient with me and showed me the truth. I know it is a choice each of us has to make. We can either choose to reject His offer of salvation, or we can choose to seek and accept what God offers us. What choice are you making right now?