No condemnation
I had the privilege of being born into a Christian family, so I grew up knowing all about God, Jesus and the Bible stories. I enjoyed going to church and Sunday school, and was generally a ‘good little girl’.
Over the years, I gradually came to know the Lord for myself rather than relying on my parents’ faith. I don’t know exactly when I started believing in Christ. But I do know that he is my Saviour and my God.
A few years ago at Easter, God touched my heart through the message preached, with the wonder of what he has done for me. I knew that God cannot allow sin in his presence because he is holy and that I was separated from God. I also knew he sent his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to die on the cross in our place and take the punishment of our sins.
Forgiven
I realised that I was forgiven and my relationship with God restored through Jesus Christ. ‘Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because the law of the spirit of life has set me free from the law of sin and death’ (Romans 8:1-2) are my favourite verses.
I still struggle with sin in my life and will do till I die, but I know I have a great High Priest, Jesus Christ, interceding for me before the throne of grace and the Holy Spirit living in me to help me overcome sin.
That Easter, God challenged me to be baptised as a public declaration of my faith, and to surrender my life once again to him. I was baptised on 10 November 2005 in the Red Sea, when the pastor of our home church came to visit us in Africa where my parents work.
Each person saved by grace is a miracle, precious to God and bought by the blood of the Lamb; a life transformed by his Holy Spirit!
Have you realised just how much God loves you? Have you asked him for forgiveness and surrendered your life to him? May God touch your heart this Christmas!
Alice Mitchell
