"Dad, I still do not understand how somebody becomes saved."
"JoJo, let's talk when we get home."
"Thanks, Dad."
8:01 PM in the Smiths' Living Room
"JoJo, do you want to be made right with God?"
"Yes, Dad! I have been seeking God and a right relationship with Him for months now!"
"Do you know what it means to be saved?'
"I know Jesus died for me!"
"That's a big part of it. What else do you know?'
"That's where I get confused."
"How so?"
"Tommy got saved tonight! I don't understand how in the world that happened!!"
"Explain the confusion, Son."
"Here I am for months trying to clean up my act. Tommy has been to church TWICE in his life! And....THE SECOND TIME HE GOT SAVED!!??"
"Oh, so you think you can be good enough on your own to be made right with God."
"Well---that and because Jesus died for me."
"Would you like for me to tell you God's plan "to be made right with Him?"
"Boy, would I!"
"JoJo, first, you must believe the Bible is the Word of God, and everything in it is true."
"Do you believe that?"
"Yessir."
"OK. Listen very carefully to God's Word and my testimony."
Dan's Testimony
"JoJo, I was brought up in a Christian home, but I was not a Christian. I use to be a bully. I hated other people...and even myself. After I graduated Smallville High, I went over to Central University. There, I became lonely and depressed. There were plenty of people around, but the Devil did a number on me. Then one day, a young man knocked on my dorm room door. He said his name was William, and he invited me to Central U Bible Study. I went for 3 months. It didn't seem to affect me one way or another, until... I followed God's plan for salvation. We are going to look up some Bible verses and read them together. These are the verses that opened my spiritual eyes.
Revelations 3:20 Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.
Romans 3:23-26 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in His sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when He freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when He held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, for He was looking ahead and including them in what He would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate His righteousness, for He Himself is fair and just, and He makes sinners right in His sight when they believe in Jesus.
"JoJo, do you understand the meaning of these passages of scriptures?"
"Dad! For the first time, I get it! I don't have to clean myself up, because Jesus' blood cleanses me!"
"That is why Tommy could be saved on his second trip to church. Honestly, you don't even have to be at a church to be saved. The requirement is to believe that Jesus was the sacrifice in our place for all the bad and sin in us!"
"Dad, would you lead me in the Salvation Prayer?"
Dan had chill bumps, but the Lord was with him so he could stay calm and focus.
Lord, guide me....guide us, Dan silently prayed.
"Repeat after me as I pray, JoJo. God, I am a sinner. I desire to be made right with You. I trust your Word. I believe Jesus died for my sins. I accept Jesus into my heart! I trust your forgiveness for all my sins. Fill me with your Holy Spirit. Let me serve you each day for the rest of my life. In Jesus' name. Amen."
JoJo thoughtfully and honestly prayed every word Dan prayed. When they were finished praying, JoJo surprised Dan.
"Dad, I have heard people talk about how they feel after they are saved, but I am not concerned about my feelings. I claim my faith in Jesus that I AM saved! I praise God! And, I thank you, Dad."
"That is incredible, JoJo! I am so proud of you! Do you want to tell anybody?"
"I want to first tell Mom and Remi. Then, I am going to call Tommy!"
"Mom!!!!!"
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