From: Gordon Wayne Watts of Lakeland, Florida, U.S.A. To: The reader Date: Sunday, 01 August 2010 (Last updated: Tue., 27 Sept. 2011) Subject: My Testimony: How I 'got saved' (might help you to get saved too)
Special thanks goes out to Jesus, the Nazarene Jew (aka 'Joshua' or "Y'eshua," in his original Hebrew tongue/language; or, 'Prophet Isa' as Muslims have named him) for the difficult job he (Y'eshua) accomplished regarding granting a certain request of mine -ironically before I had asked him -as a guiding role model & example request described below. From Gordon Wayne Watts of Lakeland, Fla., USA, a servant and son of God and an Ambassador of the Lord Jesus Christ -Peace be on Him (Acts 10:36) -and peace be upon you (Luke 24:36; John 20:19-26; Acts 10:36; Romans 5:1; Ephesians 6:23, etc.). To the reader, and all peoples, ethnicities, and nations; and to believers of all religions (Christians, Jews, Muslims, and even Atheists), Greetings: Recently, I asked a preacher friend of mine to take a look at my website and tell me how well of a job I had done to bring the important news to you, the reader. In response, he said that I should include a section about 'how to get saved' or something like that, and I felt a 'witness in my spirit' (or my conscience) tell me that he was correct; however, in my view, I think it would be better to tell you how I got saved, not just generic mumbo-jumbo or theological 'talking points.' With that in mind, here is my story: First, it's important to define 'lost' and 'saved': ** As a (green and tender) child: God the Saviour ** When I was a young child, I knew that people died, and, like most everybody else, I was afraid of death. Then, when I was probably 10 or 11 years old, while attending a Baptist church in my hometown, I heard the preacher say that people who were 'lost' go to Hell, and those who were 'saved' go to Heaven when they eventually died. He said that in order to be 'saved,' I had to ask Jesus into my heart and accept Him as my Saviour and Lord. I'm not sure, but I think that John 3:16 was quoted. Although I am sure he was 'theologically, Biblically, and scripturally' correct (and correct in any other way), I did not fully understand what it meant to 'be saved,' but I'm sure that God, in His grace and mercy would have not permitted me to go to Hell had I died right after that. (After all, I was a child, and I only had a childish intellect and understanding at that time, and not as much could be expected of me as of an adult.) As a (more mature) young adult: God the role model ** Later in life, when I was a young adult, I worked for many fast-food chains, and I was sure that I was mistreated by being under-paid, over-worked, and in some (but not all) cases, treated with disrespect by managers who worked less and got paid more, and it seemed that you could only be promoted 'up the chain,' so to speak, by being dishonest and mistreating your employees. Year-after-year this went on. While that was not the worst injustice in the world, I did see *many* injustices, that being the one that caught my eye. LIFE WAS UNFAIR!! I was despondent and despaired to live life, but thank God, I was not suicidal. Nonetheless, I was very stressed-out over what I perceived as 'injustices' and unjust 'moral wrongs' in the world. I remember riding back from one of my fast-food jobs on bicycle the 4-mile (6.4-kilometre), one-way trip home one late evening. (I suppose my car had become broken, forcing me to bicycle.) Now, I know what many 'Christian' readers might be thinking right about now: If I was 'saved' as a child, why am I continuing on in my 'testimony?' I hear you, brother, but, if you truly believe the Good Book, then you will understand the concept we find here in 2nd Corinthians 3:18, which says (in the KJV) "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." Take a look at the underlined part: We are changed into God's image "from glory to glory," meaning that my salvation experience as a child, could *not*, Biblically, be of the same 'glory' as that of a young adult, so I must continue to tell you my experiences, since some of the readers are no doubt young adults who could relate. As well, I know that there are people reading this page who may not be sure if the Holy Bible is a correct analysis of salvation -that is: "Is the Bible true?" -- Since I am using the Holy Bible to explain salvation, then you might want to know why, exactly, I think that the Bible is correct on all fronts, morally, historically, and yes!, even scientifically accurate. For those of you who doubt the Bible's accuracy, I would refer you to my research paper on that topic here:
* http://GordonWayneWatts.com/theology/reincarnation.html Anyhow, to continue with my testimony -my personal encounter with God: As I was driving home from work, late one night, the 4-mile (6.4-kilometre) trip by bicycle was long and lonely, and I cried out to God (in my heart, not verbally), asking Him why life was so tough and unfair. THEN, I don't know quite why, but I went out on a limb, and asked God if the universe was a defective creation, and whether the human body was a defective 'vehicle' for my spirit & soul. (In all honesty, I was complaining as much as I was questioning, but I was trying to be respectful: He is Almighty God, after all! He's the Big Boss -and I'm not.) *THEN*, I went even one step further - I did the unthinkable!@ I asked God Almighty if HE could, you know, jump into a human body, and 'test drive' it to ensure me it was not a defective vehicle. As incredible as this sounds, my logic was sound: I reasoned that if He granted my request and could show me the human body was not defective, then the problems we humans were having was a result of the drivers, the 'nut behind the wheel,' so to speak. (Laughter) OK, but in all seriousness, I was really upset -and wanted to know whether or not even a 'perfect God' would have trouble living in human form, or, whether even He would find life 'hopeless' and just give up. (Inquiring minds want to know! -At least *my* mind.) So, while bike-riding the long, lonely trip home, I made these complaints and inquiries of The Almighty. Then, sometime later, it dawned on me... According to my religious beliefs, Jesus Christ is God, The Son, just as much 'God' as The Father, and Jesus lived in a human body, according to reliable historical sources. So, if I were paying attention, Jesus had answered my prayer even before I had asked. Hmm... For those of you 'Christians' who would accept the Bible as valid evidence/proof, yet are still uncertain whether Jesus is Very God, please see my other research paper on *that* topic:
* http://GordonWayneWatts.com/theology/JesusOmni.html So, Jesus became my Saviour as a child, and then He became my role model and example as a young adult, showing me that a life in this human world was not hopeless: He showed me, Himself, that it was not hopeless. For both Jews and Christians alike, there are scriptures that support my claim that it's possible to live a Holy (not hopeless) life: Lev 11:44-45, 20:7; 1st Thess 4:7-8; 1st Pet 1:15-16. GOD would not ask us to live a holy life in Old and New Testaments if it were impossible. FURTHERMORE, to prove this is possible, Jesus, our example and role model, was sent to "test drive" a body, to show us ***by example*** that it is possible: John 13:15; John 14:12; 1st Peter 2:21. If the human genetic code had defective DNA in it, then Jesus would not have been able to live a sinless, holy life. Therefore, it is logical to conclude that we, humans, do NOT need to be recalled and destroyed like a bad, defective vehicle. (In short, Jesus saved us.)
Leviticus 11:44-45 (Holy Bible, KJV)
Leviticus 20:7 (Holy Bible, KJV)
1st Thessalonians 4:7-8 (Holy Bible, KJV)
1st Peter 1:15-16 (Holy Bible, KJV) (*) Note: The word translated in the KJV as 'conversation' is the Greek word, "anastrophe," Strong's number 391, and the literal meaning in modern-day English is "manner of life, conduct, behaviour, deportment," so a more accurate rendering of that verse would be to ask us to be holy in ALL our conduct, not just how we talk. By the way, for those who only use the KJV, please note that this translation of 'behaviour' agrees with the other scriptures cited here, which ask us to LIVE holy, not just TALK holy.
John 13:15 (Holy Bible, KJV, words of our LORD in red, comments in brackets)
John 14:12 (Holy Bible, KJV, words of our LORD in red, comments in brackets)
1st Peter 2:21 (Holy Bible, KJV) ** As an older middle-aged adult: God the Saviour - again ** Since then, I've had a few scary encounters with my mortality that made me think again. One frightening incident was when I tripped in my garage, where the family refrigerator is; I cut myself real badly, and I was uncertain whether or not I (or the hospital) would be able to stop the bleeding sufficient to keep me alive. Another time, I was trying out some new vitamins, which had a lot of B-1 (thiamine), and I did not wait a full 24-hours before I took the next dose -I just waited until after midnight, like a few hours later. By coincidence, I had tried out a new energy shot, which had an unknown amount of caffeine in it (did not list it on the label), and to make a long story short, I was awake for 30 hours and felt cold sweats and a racing heartbeat, not to mention constant diarrhea. While I did not take more than the recommended dose of the stuff, it had a very bad reaction with me, and it scared me half to death. I felt my own mortality, and I felt very death breathing down my neck. Anyhow, at that time, I was attending a Sunday school class at the Baptist church in the new town where I was now living, and, by coincidence (or was it?), the sermon series was on Salvation. That particular morning, the sermon was on Eternal Security of our salvation: 'Can we lose our salvation?' or something like that. Well, I paid very close attention, as you might imagine. What did I learn? Well, besides John 3:16, in which God loved the WHOLE world, I learned about John chapter 10, in which Jesus says that NO one can snatch me out of His hand, and furthermore, no one can snatch me out of HIS FATHER's hand:
John 10:27-29 (Holy Bible, KJV, words of our LORD in red, comments in brackets) One analogy was real helpful: Since God is our Father (think: OUR Father who art in heaven), then we are His children, and He's not going to let us run out into traffic, if He's holding our hand. He will hold on REAL TIGHTLY, and we can only get loose if we keep pulling. But, even if we get loose, somehow, God is like the father in the parable of the prodigal son: The father kept looking for the son. That story is told in LUKE 15:11-32, and the climax is probably in verse 20, which reads:
Luke 15:20 (Holy Bible, KJV, words of our LORD in red, comments in brackets) So, now the following passages *do* make some sense:
Romans 3:23 (Holy Bible, KJV)
Romans 6:23 (Holy Bible, KJV)
John 3:14-18 (Holy Bible, KJV, words of our LORD in red) THAT's what 'believe in Jesus' means. ~~ ONE LAST EXAMPLE - from my personal life: When I was a child, my father promised he'd pick me up from elementary school and give me a ride to the boy scout meeting of which I was a member. For whatever reason, I got nervous and took the school bus home -but my father was faithful and true: He still arrived at school, even though I had 'lost faith.' -- God is the same way: HE WILL ARRIVE, but if you get nervous and don't trust Him, you'll 'miss your ride.' ~~ Now, I want to emphasize, you don't get saved by your works, what you do: Only ONE person could pull that off, and that was Jesus, the Nazarene. You don't get saved by good works. Rather, you do good works by being saved and having the help of the Almighty God. If you're saved, you will want to do good works, and your attitude and heart will be changed. According to Romans 5:8, "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us," which means, in plain English, that God loved sinners, and if we turn to Him, it stands to reason that He will love us even more, so God is trustworthy to hold on tightly to us and not let anyone snatch or pluck us out of His hand -and neither is Jesus. (Jesus said we were in HIS hand, AND that we were in His FATHER's hand. Re-read that passage if you don't understand.) Besides being our Saviour and role-model /&/ example, Jesus is also our Healer and our Advocate (literally, defense attorney in the heavenly courts). Here are select passages to clarify:
1st John 1:9 (Holy Bible, KJV)
1st John 2:1-2 (Holy Bible, KJV, comments in brackets) So, the conclusion of the whole matter is that God loves us, and, in sending Jesus, we are getting all *kinds* of help: Jesus is still on the throne, working hard on our behalf:
Hebrews 7:24-25 (Holy Bible, KJV, comments in brackets) Now, since you hear Jesus knocking at your door, won't you answer Him?
Revelation 3:20 (Holy Bible, KJV, words of our LORD in red) That's *my* testimony. Yours may differ. (For example: Samson knew God for the strength he got; Solomon knew God for the wisdom he got; David knew God for the mercy he got -after he committed adultery with Bathsheba, wife of Uriah the Hittite. I know God for the example and role model -and for the assurance of salvation.) Now, since I didn't live with Jesus in person, it was hard for me, sometimes, to identify with Him: "What would Jesus do?" ~ I don't know sometimes. That is why I am glad I have Godly people of valour in my life, both that I know *and* that I "know of." One of my favourite role models was a man named Roland H. Buck. He was a grandson of the Buck Knife inventor, and he (reluctantly) wrote a book about his experience, "Angels on Assignment," a real interesting book; however, when his daughter, Sharon White, wrote a book to answer people's question about who her father was, we got an idea from many peoples' testimony, as to how Rev. Buck handled tough situations. Since this testimony seems sincere, accurate, and, while his theology is sometimes criticised, none of his testimony has ever (to my knowledge) been refuted, I trust it 'as gospel' so to speak. Thus, when I have difficulty knowing 'what would Jesus do,' I can guess 'what would ROLAND do,' and be assured it is a close estimate -to get me on base: Rev. Roland Buck was a man of honour, who often knew how to get warring factions reconciled and realise peace -even if it was at high cost to himself! If you want to get a copy of this man's book, click on my front page, and you can either buy a hard copy or get a FREE copy online. (I'm not out to 'make a buck' off you; you can 'write a cheque' on that, and 'take it to the banque!') If you're getting knocked off-centre, and need a role model of a 'real Christian,' click the 'Angels on Assignment' link on my front page menu -and get the book -for FREE if need be! Remember, at the top of the page, where I said I was vitimised and mistreated? Well, according to Mark 11:25, I am supposed to forgive everybody of what they've done to me. They may not accept forgiveness, but I *am* supposed to offer it. If you're reading this, and that's you, and you are sorry for mistreating me and want me to forgive you, then it is so: I've given my word and can't go back. Now, I will not allow people to mistreat me -I will defend family values and defend the weak and powerless, but I'm not vindictive; I'm not "out to get someone" -including you. I'm trying to demonstrate the changed life that God has given me. Anything less would be simply disrespectful to God. A special word to fellow-Christians: Does this line up Biblically -and also 'make sense?' A special word to Jews: I realise that you are also looking for a 'Saviour' or 'Messiah.' Is it correct for me to assume you are looking for someone who will rescue and save you by military force? If this is correct, then rest assured that 'we Christians,' as I understand my own faith, agree with you on this point: See e.g., the Revelation of John, the last book in our Bible; however, I understand you to be looking for two different 'Messiahs,' according to your own scripture: The 'triumphant Messiah' in ISAIAH 53:12 ("Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong;") coming back to rescue and deliver --and also the 'suffering Messiah' as described in ISAIAH 53:3-5 ("He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not...we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted...But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities:...") QUESTION: Are these 2 men the same person -or 'two different Messiahs'? (Indeed: I have been told that, even among Jews, there is not complete agreement of the exact role and expectation of Messiah.) ---KEY QUESTION: I am told that many of the prophecies of your Messiah in your law were fulfilled, to the letter, by Jesus, the Nazarene (aka Y'eshua, or 'Joshua' in our language). Have you checked out the historical records of the 'New Testament,' the Jewish historian, Josephus, or other contemporary historians to see if Y'eshua, the Nazarene, fulfilled your scriptures? LASTLY, since indeed you search for a 'suffering' Messiah, does my description of the perfect role model, guide, and example in the Nazarene make sense? A special word to Muslims: I greatly respect and love Muhammad -Peace be on him; and he had many excellent things to say about how to live our lives in high standards of moral conduct, such as taking care of the poor (5 Pillars of Islam). Nonetheless, he also claimed to be a Prophet of the Most High God, and if that be, we should make sure he is correct. In Surah 4:47 of his Holy Qur'an (aka 'Holy Koran' in our language), he claimed that the Islam scriptures confirm and support the holy scriptures of the Jews and Christians:
Holy Qur'an, Surah 4:47, Dr. Mohsin: "O you who have been given the Scripture (Jews and Christians)! Believe in what We have revealed (to Muhammad SAW) confirming what is (already) with you,
before We efface faces (by making them like the back of necks; without nose, mouth, eyes) and turn them hindwards, or curse them as We cursed the Sabbath¬breakers.[] And the Commandment of Allâh is always
executed.[]"
Note: Not only does Surah 4:47 support & confirm the 'Law' (Torah) and 'Evangel' (Christian Gospel) as accurate, but also, Surahs 2:89; 3:84; 4:136; 5:43-60; and, 7:157
suggest that the 'Law' given to the Jews by Moses & later by Prophet Isa to the Christians is correct -and should be followed by them (us)! I am very gratful for that, but Surah 109 says just the
opposite -that the other religions should NOT be followed by you.
Holy Qur'an, Surah 3:84, Yusuf Ali: "Say: We believe in Allah, and in what has been revealed to us and what was revealed to Abraham, Isma'il, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and in (the Books) given to
Moses, Jesus, and the prophets, from their Lord: We make no distinction between one and another among them, and to Allah do we bow our will (in Islam)."
Holy Qur'an, Surah 4:136, Shakir: "O you who believe! believe in Allah and His Messenger and the Book which He has revealed to His Messenger and the Book which He revealed before; and whoever disbelieves
in Allah and His angels and His messengers and the last day, he indeed strays off into a remote error."
Holy Qur'an, Surah 5:43-60, selected verses:
Holy Qur'an, Surah 7:157, Pickthal: "Those who follow the messenger, the Prophet who can neither read nor write, whom they will find described in the Torah and the Gospel (which are) with them...Then
those who believe in him, and honour him, and help him, and follow the light which is sent down with him: they are the successful."
Holy Qur'an, Surah 10:94, Pickthal: "And if thou (Muhammad) art in doubt concerning that which We reveal unto thee, then question those who read the Scripture (that was) before thee. Verily the Truth
from thy Lord hath come unto thee. So be not thou of the waverers."
Did you see all that? The Holy Qur'an says the Bible, both Old Testament (Law) and New Testament (Evangel) Scriptures/Book are reliable!
Holy Qur'an, Surah 109, verses 1-6, Shakir:
NOTE: All these passages except for Surah 109 support the notion that Islam's Prophet Muhammad supported/confirmed as accurate the JEWISH Torah and the CHRISTIAN Evangel
(Gospel scriptures), and recognised these Jews & Christians as 'People of the Book,' who SHOULD follow their religious holy book, as given to them (us) by God Almighty. What I don't understand is why
Surah 109 all-of-a-sudden disagrees with the other Surahs above? There were many other Surahs that were very beautiful, that said to take care of the poor and be honest. For the sake of space, I could
not list them all, but I do speak well of these many passages in the Qur'an, which support the 5 Pillars of Islam and the giving of alms to the needy and poor. They are blessed:
Holy Qur'an, Surah 2:273, Yusuf Ali: "(Charity is) for those in need, who, in Allah's cause are restricted (from travel), and cannot move about in the land, seeking (For trade or work): the ignorant
man thinks, because of their modesty, that they are free from want. Thou shalt know them by their (Unfailing) mark: They beg not importunately from all the sundry. And whatever of good ye give, be assured
Allah knoweth it well."
Muslims follow the 'Five Pillars of Islam,' which are the foundation of their religion and life:
1. Faith/belief in the 'Oneness' of God and the finality & accuracy of the prophethood of Muhammad;
This is very beautiful, but if God is 'One,' then why do both Jewish, Christian, and Muslim scriptures, which you confirm/accept, all refer to God in the plural?
MUSLIM SCRIPTURES - Holy Qur'an, Surah 22:5, Yusuf Ali: "O mankind! if ye have a doubt about the Resurrection, (consider) that We created you out of dust..." [WE, plural]
JEWISH SCRIPTURES - Genesis 1:29, KJV: "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness..." [US and OUR, plural]
CHRISTIAN SCRIPTURES - John 10:30, KJV: "I and my Father are one." [WE ARE one, 'WE' plural]
Since the Qur'an supports the Law & Evangel, and all three say the God is plural, it seems that God is one, but plural, whatever that means; however, while we don't understand this matter fully, as
humans, we should do like Surah 2:273 and the 5 Pillars say: We should love our neighbour.
(-:
However, in spite of the claims of Surah 4:47 & other Surahs above, you full-well know that the CHRISTIANS' scriptures about Jesus are not confirmed by (or agree with) the Muslim beliefs of Islam
regarding Prophet Isa (in other words: 'Prophet Jesus'). While many (even if not all) Christians accept that Jesus is worthy of worship, as I show in my other research above, you accept
as only a Prophet:
Holy Qur'an, Surah 4:171, Yusuf Ali: "O People of the Book! Commit no excesses in your religion: Nor say of Allah aught but the truth. Christ Jesus the son of Mary was (no more than) a messenger of Allah..."
Holy Bible, John 1:1,3,10,14, KJV, comments in bracket: Also, in Surah 5:38 of the Holy Qur'an, you set the punishment for a thief to have his/her hands cut off; however, this does not confirm the JEWISH scriptures of Exodus 22:1-4 or Leviticus 6:1-5, which merely lay a financial punishment upon the thief:
Holy Qur'an, Surah 5:38, Yusuf Ali: "As to the thief, Male or female, cut off his or her hands: a punishment by way of example, from Allah, for their crime: and Allah is Exalted in power."
Holy Bible, Exodus 22:1-4, KJV
Holy Bible, Leviticus 6:1-5, KJV Lastly, you know that in *both* Surah 9:5, *AND* Sura 9:111, fighting for religion is OK, but, in spite of the promises of the Qur'an's Surah 4:47 & others that the Qur'an confirms the JEWISH Law & the CHRISTIAN Evangel, NEITHER Surah 9:5 NOR 9:111 confirms these books of the law. In fact, both JEWISH and CHRISTIAN scriptures say that we should love both our neighbours (Leviticus 19:18; Romans 12:9-13) *and* love our enemies (Proverbs 25:21-22; Matthew 5:43-45; Luke 6:27-36; Romans 12:14-19).
Holy Koran, Sura 9:5, Yusuf Ali translation: "But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them, an seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in
every stratagem (of war); but if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practise regular charity, then open the way for them: for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful."
Holy Qur'an, Surah 9:111, Yusuf Ali translation: "Allah hath purchased of the believers their persons and their goods; for theirs (in return) is the garden (of Paradise): they fight in His cause, and slay
and are slain: a promise binding on Him in truth, through the Law, the Gospel, and the Qur'an: and who is more faithful to his covenant than Allah? then rejoice in the bargain which ye have concluded:
that is the achievement supreme."
JEWISH SCRIPTURES regarding loving your friends/neighbours - Leviticus 19:18, KJV:
CHRISTIAN SCRIPTURES regarding loving your friends/neighbours - Romans 12:9-13, KJV:
JEWISH SCRIPTURES regarding loving your enemies - Holy Bible, Proverbs 25:21-22, KJV: CHRISTIAN SCRIPTURES regarding loving your enemies - Holy Bible, KJV:
Matthew 5:43-45
Luke 6:27-36
Romans 12:14-19
*MAIN MIRRIR* http://GordonWayneWatts.com/theology/reincarnation.html or here: * *ALT. LINK*http://GordonWatts.com/theology/reincarnation.html (Yes, this page addresses both reincarnation AND the accuracy of the Bible.) Did this make sense? Drop me a line at the 'contact' link on my home page, and let me know. May the God of all mercy and kindness and peace, to whom all honour belongs, bless and sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ; I wish and pray above all things that you may prosper and be in excellent health, even as thy soul prospers, even as Jesus and His Father hold you tightly/safely in their hands, as Jesus promised in John 10. With kind regard, I AM, Sincerely, an Ambassador of Christ, Gordon Wayne Watts TAKE ME HOME: http://GordonWayneWatts.com -- http://GordonWatts.com |