My Own Testimony

The following is my own testimony, a brief account of how I came into the Lord. I have published it as my fiftieth blog essay. I will continue writing for the BLOG and I request you to follow me.

I was born in a traditional Christian family in 1938. Both my parents were well educated and I had a strictly “religious” up bringing, but most of my childhood was spent in grinding poverty.   I studied our family history for 5 or 6 generations and was convinced that Christianity was the cause of our poverty! By the time I was 12 I had a thorough knowledge of the Bible and could quote from it any time, in two languages. By 20, I had read a lot about most of the world religions and philosophical thoughts of famous thinkers. By 25, I rejected organized religion and, along with that, God.

I believed only wealth and wisdom could save mankind.  Those who possess these must share them with those who did not. God was not relevant any more, in this scientific era. If there was a God who had created heaven and earth, He has either lost control over them or was not interested in them anymore. Religion has done more harm to mankind than good. It is true that mankind is in dire straits, but the answer is in economic and scientific development. A start has been made already in this direction and with increased awareness, social justice and an accelerated growth rate, everybody would be happy. If man tries hard enough, he can create a heaven on earth; there is no other heaven. There are no angels or devil.

My primary aim was to escape poverty and become wealthy (so that I can help others become rich and spread happiness all around). I was extremely successful in this endeavor and was quite rich by the age of 35. I had a strong sense of justice, but radical views about good and bad. At 40 I tried even to establish my own religion based on ‘situational ethics’. Fortunately no one was ready to follow me. (I was living abroad at this time.  Had I been in India I would have probably become a ‘God-man’!)

I had good head knowledge of Christianity, but used to say I had “intellectual problems” with it. My father was a catechist. A brother and a sister were evangelists. I thought they were wasting their time. I didn’t lie or steal, had never received or paid bribe had made my money honestly, and helped generously  those who were in want. I was involved in many charity works. I maintained I didn’t need to be saved because there was no sin in me. I went to church, even had family prayers, just for the sake of appearance.

At the age of 59, I was involved in a tragic accident that left me partially paralyzed. It is at this time I started thinking of the “God Whom my siblings and parents worshipped”.  One beautiful October morning in 1997 the God I was running away from appeared to me and warned me with the verse Acts 26:14 - “It is hard for you to kick against the goad”. He explained to me what He was, through Romans 4:17. He told me He was giving me one more chance, and then I can go to hell. I realized no man can save himself, not even me! Jesus is the answer!! Jesus is more relevant today than ever. Like the blind man in John 10:25 said, “I was blind, but now I see”.  My Redeemer lives [Job 19:25], I know what I worship [John 4:22].

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