THIS testimony was written by a senior in high school. Her English teacher asked each member of the class to write a 500-word composition, choosing a title from a given list. Since it would be the last composition she would ever write in high school the writer decided to make it a final testimony for her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, choosing the title, “The Most Commendable Thing I Ever Did.”
The most commendable thing I ever did was to accept Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour. I am a sinner — God says so (Romans 3:10, 23), and my own heart admits it. I know there are many things that I have done that were not commendable, and many things that I should have done and did not. Yes, I am a sinner, but, praise God, “I now am a sinner SAVED BY GRACE.” “For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Eph. 2:8, 9.) “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
But what does it mean to accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour, and why is it so commendable? To accept Jesus Christ is to believe all that God says about Him: that He “died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (1 Cor. 15: 3, 4); and to believe it not only with your head, but with your whole heart, so that it affects your life, and makes you want to live for Him who died for you. When you do this the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in your heart forever and enables you to do the things that are pleasing to God (John 7:39; Romans 8:2-4, 8, 9). But remember, it is Christ’s death for you that saves, not your life for Him (Romans 5:6-9; 3:24-28).
And now we can see why it is so very commendable. Commendable? Nay, it is the one important thing every one should do! First of all, it is God’s earnest desire. He would have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4). Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). He is the only One who can solve all our problems, both national and personal; He is the Friend who can and will help us, if we trust in Him; and above all, He is the only One who can deliver us from the awful penalty of our sins, and restore us to fellowship with God. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
“Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” Luke 13:24.
“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Cor. 6:2.
ML-09/30/1962