Janice’s Salvation Story –
“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10
The Lord first opened my eyes to the truth of this verse found in His Word when I was about 20 years old. The scriptures were not familiar to me prior to that time, as I had been raised in a Roman Catholic home where we did not read or study the Bible. This was not encouraged by the church at that time. However, through the heritage of my grandmother and mother, I was absolutely sure that there was a God. I was just as sure that there was no way I would go to be with Him when I died, as I was living a life very much contrary to what I knew to be right. If my salvation depended upon me, I would have lived forever apart from my Heavenly Father – never knowing His grace and mercy.
While I was yet a sinner, He gave His life for me (Romans 5:8). I will never really understand that kind of love. I know the powerful love I have for my own children, but that cannot compare to the never changing, faithful, merciful, gracious Father who would draw me to Himself by His Holy Spirit when I was not looking for Him . . . and “save a wretch like me”. Through the sacrifice of the perfect spotless Lamb of God – His Son Jesus – I am forgiven and adopted as a child of God once and for all time. There is no repaying that kind of forgiveness – that gift of love. I can only give Him me – such as I am – as an instrument to be used as He wills, until I meet Him face to face one day. Jesus has gone ahead to prepare a place in heaven for me and all believers where He resides at the right hand of the Father (John 14:2-3). Because He lives, I can look forward to eternal life there with Him.
This new life in Him has its mountaintop experiences and valleys. But over the years, He has brought me along as only a loving, patient Father could. He has been with me through the many challenges. He picks me up when I fall, disciplines me according to my need, and gives me new mercies every morning. The older I get, the more I understand, yet I know I will never stop learning in this life. His Word is infinite, as He is – what an amazing God!