KNOWING JESUS – having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ – is the greatest thing in my life! Although I grew up in a home that faithfully attended classes to study the Bible, God's Word, and went to a Church that preached what the Bible taught, I still had a void in my life – an emptiness. I could never seem to overcome my selfishness. I was rebellious even though I would try to do good things to win approval.
My older sister, Sarah, is very dear to me. When we were children, she became very sick and was in the hospital. I thought she was going to die. I was afraid because I thought if someone as young as Sarah could die, so could I. The reason that made me afraid is because I had learned from my Bible lessons that everyone who did not have a personal relationship with Jesus would stay forever in a place the Bible calls hell - always being separated from Jesus. I knew that was my case.During this time, my next-door neighbor, Wilton, who was like an older brother to me, was preparing a talk to give at Church. I was his “audience” as he practiced. He used different colored blocks and explained his talk to me this way.
The first block has a hole cut in it – it was a void. That was how I felt – empty. He explained everyone has this void and only God through Jesus Christ can fill it. He showed me a black block and explained that everyone is what the Bible calls a sinner or living a self-directed life. We are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us. (Romans 3:23)
As he showed me the red block he said the only way to be rescued from this self-directed life was through God giving His Son, Jesus, to die for me and for all of us. “But God showed His love for us by offering His Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to Him.” (Romans 5:8)
As he picked up the yellow block, he said that if we have the wrong relationship with God or rebel against God, what we earn is death – that forever separation from Jesus. But “God's gift is real life, eternal life, forever life, delivered by Jesus, our Master.” (Romans 6:23)
With the green block he said that in order to begin a new life in Christ Jesus you must believe that Jesus died for your sin or rebellion and declare that you accept Him as your Savior. You receive Jesus through faith. Faith is trusting in what Jesus has done for you rather than trusting in your own efforts to have a right relationship with God. Faith is complete reliance on Christ to put you in right relationship with God, allowing Him to live His life through you. Faith involves genuine sorrow for your wrongdoings and willingness to turn away from sin.
With the white block he said that this is God's promise – If I accept Jesus, God will accept me. “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be rescued.” (Romans 10:13)
I listened to Wilton practice his speech five times. I could have given it! The next day I heard his speech as he gave it in Church and I knew it was something I had to do. I went home and on my knees beside my bed, I asked Jesus to rescue me from my wrongdoings and to forgive me.
I felt so low compared to Jesus that I just laid on the floor. I asked Jesus to live in my heart because I wanted to live forever with Him.
My life has never been the same. From that moment He DID rescue me and gave me a new heart. I knew I would tell everyone about this wonderful life Jesus gives. Because I no longer have a void or emptiness but I am full of joy, I want others to know.
And today as time goes by and our relationship deepens, I can tell you from experience that
