I grew up in the church and always knew who Jesus was, but there came a point when that knowledge became personal. As a teenager at Christian summer camp, I realized that salvation wasn't about being a good person or simply attending church. It was about recognizing that I was a sinner in need of a Savior. I remember writing my sins on a piece of paper and nailing them to a wooden cross as a symbol that Jesus had already paid for them. That moment helped me understand what the Bible says in Ephesians 2:8-9: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast." As I got older, I didn't always live the way God intended. I made mistakes and experienced the consequences of my choices. Those seasons reminded me that no amount of good works could erase my sin or make me right with God. But even when I wandered, God never stopped pursuing me. His mercy was greater than my failures, and His love never changed. As my faith matured, I chose to be baptized at 25 as a public declaration that my life belonged to Jesus Christ. Baptism didn't save me. Jesus had already done that through His death and resurrection. Baptism was simply my way of proclaiming that I had placed my faith in Him. Today, God is still transforming me. I'm not perfect, and I still have moments where I fall short. But my confidence isn't in myself. It's in Christ. Because of His sacrifice, my sins are forgiven, I have been made new, and I have the hope of eternal life. If there's one thing I hope you take away from my story, it's this: salvation isn't something we earn. It's a gift of God's grace that is available to anyone who places their faith in Jesus Christ.
To God Be The Glory