Personal Salvation Testimony

by Tiffany S.
from Virtuous Daughters, June 2011~Volume 11, Number 3

​While I am grateful for this opportunity to praise the Lord for saving me, I am pondering how to fit a collection of thoughts, feelings, and lessons into one tiny article! The more I grow in Him, the more obvious His mercy becomes to me, and I am eternally thankful for His love and mercy. Every day the Lord grows and teaches me. Salvation is only the beginning of our journey with Him!

When I was six years old, the Lord brought me under conviction of my sin against Him—I had fallen short of His glory (Romans 3:23). As His Word declares, “whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”—James 2:10 My sin condemned me to eternal punishment in hell and separation from God. “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power.”—II Thessalonians 1:8–9 I was utterly helpless to save myself.  My own attempts at righteousness were “filthy rags” in God’s sight (Isaiah 64:6).

Thankfully, the story does not end there! God’s love for us is so great that “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Jesus lived a sinless life; being God in the flesh, He met the perfect standard. Through Jesus Christ, we may have the free gift of eternal life (Romans 6:23). Isaiah 53:5 declares, “With His stripes we are healed.” He is the one and only way to salvation. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.”—John 14:6 The only good work that can get us to heaven is the finished work of Christ Jesus on the cross (John 17:1–4, 19:30; Hebrews 10:11–14).

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Such hope and assurance are in these precious words of life! I had before me an opportunity to place my faith in Jesus Christ and therefore experience life everlasting! Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me hath everlasting life.”—John 6:47 It is purely by His grace that we can experience this free gift of salvation. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.”—Ephesians 2:8–9

“For Thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon Thee.”—Psalm 86:5 This verse has been an immense encouragement to me over the years. That day when I was six years old and I pleaded for Jesus to save me, He did. He was eager to forgive, and full of mercy as I called upon His name! Although I was certainly undeserving of His love and acceptance, He became my personal Savior and reigns as King on the throne of my heart.

Because I am a Christian, I am complete in Christ (Colossians 2:6–10) and do not have to fear losing my salvation. He has saved me, redeemed, washed me in His blood, and I am eternally secure in His arms. “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. My Father, which gave them Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.”—John 10:27–30 When God sees me, He sees His righteous Son, Jesus Christ, because I am forever in Christ!

Through the years following my salvation, God has used a variety of Scriptures to teach me more about His wonderful gift of eternal life, to strengthen my faith, and to give me assurance that He has saved me and holds me forever in His arms. One of the most assuring truths I have realized is that this is the work of God. People who are deceived into believing that they must earn their salvation (or even those who believe they must add something to be saved, such as baptism, good works, communion, etc.) must live in constant fear and doubts. Yet what a blessed peace to trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ. Thank You, Father!

God is good and He is faithful! He will become the Strength and Guide of all who invite Him into their lives. His promise holds true forever: “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”—Hebrews 13:5 Psalm 66:8–9 reminds us, “O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of His praise to be heard: Which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved.” Praise the Lord!