my testimony

I feel I should share this in hopes that it will help someone else. Thirty plus years ago (at the age of 19) I heard the gospel of Christ. I was led up to the alter to say the sinners prayer and then proceeded to live the next 30 years believing I was on my way to Heaven. I had quit all alcohol, all secular music was thrown out, I started going to church all the time, reading my Bible all the time. Writing letters to inmates, singing to the Lord and tithing, and giving money to ministries, homeschooling my kids, etc.. Outwardly I appeared so holy. I thought I was so holy. Until a few years back when I came across a sermon online. Cant remember who wrote it, but it was about being born again and the evidence that should accompany that experience. I was shocked by the time I finished the sermon. I realized I had not been born again and I was not on my way to Heaven. I hit the floor on my knees and repented. You see, the day I walked down to the alter I didnt know anything about repentance. And no repentance had occured inside of my heart. I was still the same person on the inside. I was mean to my husband, I was hateful and so full of jealousy. I entertained lustful thoughts continuously all the while thinking I was a holy woman of God. I was still the same person. I could have died at any time thinking I was saved but I wasnt. After reading that sermon I realized I had never repented. Once I did repent many changes began occuring in me and I am no longer the person I use to be. And its an inward change. I write this only to warn others. I wasted all those years and I cant go get those years back. Now I am 52 and feel like I am too old now for the Lord to use me. Please examine your heart. Has it been changed? Are you indeed a new creation? Have you truly been born again? In Christ, Julie Wilton

Thank you for sharing that sister. You are never too old to be used by the Lord.

David

PS Do you remember the name of the sermon you mentioned and the preacher? Thanks

Firstly your never too old to be used of the Lord. If memory serves me correctly smith wigglesworth was in his sixties when he was called to preach the Gospel. A lot of preachers continue to preach way past there seventies nowadays. ( sister you got a long way to go yet )

Dont think of those years as waste ...God promises to restore the years ( book of joel) that the palmerworm, cankerworm, and every other worm have destroyed and eaten. In other words God is in the restoration business and he can make a quick work, and cut it short in righteousness:

Your not old at 52 and you can be full of days to come.
(look at it ...from that way)

The other thing i'd like to comment on is about your previous experience Jesus said " Did not he that made that which is WITHOUT" (Everything outward) also make that which is WITHIN( the internal) therefore Cleanse first that which is within ...that the OUTSIDE of the cup and platter may appear clean also. Holiness starts from WITHIN (First) if we measure ourselves on the premise of " i dont drink-smoke-sleep around-bet on horseraces- do drugs anymore"...then we are like the pharisee in the temple who said i thank God i dont do this, that, and the other ...i pay my tithes, pray, and fast.

But let me tell you the pharisee didnt go home justified

The publican who experienced repentance (did) however go home justified. hmmm

If people would start from within (first) - and stopped measuring holiness( by the things they dont do) as oppossed to others in the world. There would be less pharisee's, and far less counterfeit christians. ( full stop- period)

people mistakenly think (assume) holiness is about chopping out things from there life - - and then they measure themselves by themselves.

Friends its Not! thats classic pharisee going up to the temple to pray.

Why didnt this precious sister for lo ...what was it ...for thirty long years (not have the genuine article)? Holiness was based on what she no longer did on the outside world (that is what she based her experience on) however If you work on the heart first and let God penetrate the inner part first. You become a new creation, and not a modified modern day pharisee and counterfeit christian.

I was blessed by your testimony and raw honesty sister.

I said what i said because you hit the nail bang-smack-in-the-middle

Are we a new creation afterall???

if you said yes.

Then old things have passed away.

but not only that

As this dear sister pointed out ( if you caught it)

ALL THINGS HAVE BECOME NEW !!!

BOTH ON THE INSIDE (FIRST) AND THEN (ALSO) ON THE OUTSIDE

Some people have the outward part looking good, but there inner part is full of ravening and wickedness.

Its full of inner hypocrisies and all uncleaness

Thanks for sharing sister.

you made some terrific points in your testimony !!!

Be blessed