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Changed Lives

John asked me to write about why I believe in God. I grew up in the 1950s, when most people believed in God or at least paid lip service. My sisters and I attended a small Methodist church where we learned about God, Jesus, and the Bible. I have always believed in God, but I did not read the Bible; I only heard a few scriptures on Sundays.

When I had my second child, I was invited to a Bible study. As I started attending, I was impressed by how the people read, studied, discussed, memorized, and applied the Bible's teachings. When my Catholic husband at that time began socializing with other married couples who had young children, we saw a group that did not drink, curse, get angry with, or gossip about each other. We observed genuine friendship, love, support, and joy — lots of real happiness. When we began attending church, we heard messages from God's Word, joyful singing, and praise. We also saw people who enjoyed each other's company, cared for one another, and spent time together outside of church meetings. We saw lives that had been changed.

I had believed I was a Christian. I went to church and loved listening to Billy Graham. I must have “prayed Jesus into my heart” many times. After much Bible study, I learned what true repentance is and what it means to make Jesus Lord of my life. In May of 1977, I “obeyed the gospel” and was scripturally baptized into Christ (see Romans 6), and my life changed for the better. My husband was baptized a few months later, and our children grew up learning about God, Jesus, and the Bible.

I am a believer and follower of God because I have seen lives transformed when they are “in Christ.” Not only are our sins continually forgiven (1 John 1:7) and forgotten (Hebrews 8:12; Isaiah 43:25), but we also receive the Holy Spirit when we are baptized into Christ according to scripture. God's Spirit within us gives us the power to overcome sin, changing us and helping us grow to become more like Jesus. Galatians 5:22-23 lists the fruits of the Spirit, and Galatians 5:19-21 describes the characteristics of our sinful nature. The difference between life (in Christ) and darkness (without Christ) is immense! Of all these Godly qualities, love is the most important (1 Corinthians 13). God IS love (1 John 4:8). He transforms us from within as we walk according to his Spirit (Galatians 5:16, 24, 25). Our changed lives stand as a testimony to his power and presence.

— Cynthia Clayton

Picture credit:
photo: Julie Marcussen

Scripture links/references are from BibleGateway.com. Unhighlighted scriptures can be looked up at their website.