Daniel Chong
Looking back at my life from today, I can see the grace of God working in my life even as an unregenerate boy. I grew up in a very traditional Korean family, always attending church, as well as being very involved in the things of church, through the solid teaching and guidance of my grandfather our family had a great foundational leader pointing to Christ. However, living with my grandparents for the majority of my childhood and being a “good kid” going to church is all I knew about God. Although, there are no degrees of sin in that one act of sin is deserving of hell. I considered myself a good kid that did nothing horrible never understanding the utter ruin of sin within my heart as well as ones as subtle as pride and anger, and was never willing to show it to others or expose myself for who I really was having a fear of man. This is exactly how I lived my life throughout jr high as well as the earlier years of my high school life. I do remember walking down the aisle to an altar call in 8th grade at my first retreat, but I knew that I wasn’t saved through the spirit’s work of regeneration but rather it was a misconception of sincerity in a time full of emotions.
Although not saved I was completely immersed in doing things for the church, and participating in all the church events, while completely rebelling against God. In the latter years of high school I had some great pastors that really started to teach the word through exposition, and as well stressing the gospel, but I quickly turned my ear during sermon times always seeking what was more fun and indulging in the lusts of my heart, and selfish ambitions. I failed to realize the gospel and what the bible had to say in 2 Corinthians 5:21 it says “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” It wasn’t until around senior year that I really understood the gospel, and was convicted and understood that Christ was put on the cross for my sins, and that I am imputed His righteousness through his death not that I merited it in any way by deeds, but that it was a gift of God. I like what CJ Mahaney has preached and said “before we can see the cross as something done for us, we have to see it as something done by us.” This is very true because my sin has put him on the cross. If it was not for Christ, I would be eternally separated, completely depraved from God, having to pay the penalty for my sin and being unable to. I would be cast into hell for all eternity, but through the cross I am covered by the blood of Christ and made righteous through Him.
As there were and still are many times that I fail in my sin, I strive to live a life as Christ did in complete submission to His rule and authority as one not only redeemed but made a saint through the imputing of Christ's righteousness unto me. I thank God especially for Lighthouse Bible Church. Being here for that past year really has changed me and helped me to grow through the fellowship with the saints, as well as the great biblical teaching. The time of my regeneration is blurry and I cannot exactly pinpoint when or where I knew I was saved. I can only say that it is only by Gods grace and sovereignty that I am completely secure in my heart that my Love for Christ and the things of God does not come out of a heart of my own for I am unable to love God apart from the love that He has for Himself. And my testimony would not be complete without a quote from John Owen (haha) to sum up the existence of my life. “By his cross, divine holiness and justice were exalted, and through his triumph, grace and mercy were poured out to the full. In glorious thoughts of this let my soul live, and in believing it let my soul die.”
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