My Story of Jesus Christ's Saving Grace 

By 

Charlie Edwards

 

"Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed" (Luke 1:1-4).

This opening statement in Luke's gospel indicates his desire to tell what he knew to be true regarding the three and one-half-year ministry of Jesus Christ. We are also given Matthew's, Mark's, and John's perspective of our Savior's ministry in the New Testament. Most Christians have heard the personal testimony of others who have come to the point in life when they realize their desperate need for Jesus Christ and His saving grace. I'm going to borrow Luke's first four verses as a platform to tell my story. All Christians have a personal testimony of Jesus Christ that should be told. If you are saved, you have a story. This one is mine.

I grew up in Plant City, Florida. My parents had four boys. I was number two. My parents were part of the Greatest Generation. They both served in the military during World War 2. They both worked hard and provided a good home for their sons. They took us to the Episcopal Church, where my brothers and I served as acolytes. We lit the candles, poured the wine, carried the cross, and wore the vestments. That was all the "religion" I knew. I found it extremely boring and later on in high school I no longer had to attend church. I have memories of people approaching me back then and asking me about being "saved" and being "born again." I didn't want to talk to these people and made a habit of ignoring them if ever approached. I remember kids in grade school memorizing Bible verses and earning prizes for their ability to recite the verses. I never participated since I was an "Episcopalian."

At the time of this writing, I've been saved for about fifty years. During those years I have spent much time reading and studying the word of God. There are therefore, certain scripture truths that shape the basis of my testimony. Please allow me to explain. Many times in the Bible God went to great measures to obtain the attention of someone in order to illustrate or pass on a specific truth. Let's look at some of those examples.

In the book of Exodus, God sent Moses to the Israelites in Egypt. His job was to lead them out of Egypt and into the land God promised to Abraham and the Jewish people. Moses confronted the Lord with a very good question. Why should they believe me? I'm just a guy that claims to represent God. The Lord (Exodus 4) assured Moses that the Israelites would indeed believe him because God would perform some spectacular miracles before the Egyptians as well as the Israelites, which would ultimately result in the great exodus of the Jews from Egypt. Paul would later write in1Corinthians 1:22, "For the Jews require a sign…" Throughout the history of the Jewish People, God has shown them signs and miracles so they would believe.

 In Numbers 22-24 there was a prophet named Balaam. This particular prophet was interested more in making a profit of this gift rather than using it for the glory of God. In chapter 22 God told Balaam not to go with the messengers unless they came to him to call him (vs. 20). The men did not come, but he decided he would go to them against God's will (vs. 21). Balaam was ignoring God's words and directives. What follows is the miracle of the ass talking with Balaam. Then in order to get his attention, God allowed Balaam to see the Angel of the Lord holding a drawn sword (vs. 31). God used a miraculous event to get the prophet's attention.

In the book of Jonah, we find Jonah running from God's directive to go preach to the Ninevites (Jonah 1). In his disregard for the Lord's instruction, he boarded a boat and went in the opposite direction of Ninevah. In order to get Jonah's attention, the Lord caused Jonah to be swallowed by a whale (Mt. 12:40), spend three days in the whale's belly, then get vomited out on the coast of Ninevah (Jonah 2:10). If the Lord wants to, He will do whatever it takes to get a person's attention.

Saul of Tarsus hated Jesus Christ and Christians. His job was to round them up, torture, and kill them. The Lord tried to get Saul's attention, but was instead ignored. He watched Philip get stoned to death in Acts 7. Philip said, "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge…" (Acts 7:60) and then died. Later in chapter nine God knocked Saul off his feet to the ground and blinded him to get his attention. "And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks," (Acts 9:3-5). The Lord finally got Saul's attention by confronting him with something supernatural that he didn't understand.

I've given these examples of how God gets the attention of people in order to open their eyes or heart, and pass on certain truths.

In October of 1971 Walt Disney World opened up in Central Florida. I went to work there in March of 72. One of the attractions I worked was called, "If You Had Wings." While working at "Wings" I met a young lady named Karen who also worked there. She always had a sweet and kind spirit about her. Never did I hear a negative word from her about anything or anyone. Since she wore a wedding ring I just assumed she was a happily married young lady. She just seemed to radiate some sort of well-being and serenity. She was always a ray of sunshine.

 One day I had lunch with Barbara (another girl that worked at Wings) and somehow Karen's name came up. Barb told me that Karen's husband was a United States Marine Corps pilot. She went on to say that he had recently been killed in a plane crash. I was stunned, completely taken aback. I simply could not believe what I had just heard. I thought she had to be talking about someone else. I said to Barb, "No, I'm talking about our coworker, Karen!" Barb assured me that it was indeed, Karen she was talking about. 

I was dumbfounded. I couldn't understand how the person I knew could carry all the brokenness and pain that would accompany the tragic loss of a spouse in the way that she did. I didn't get it. I couldn't put it all together. In my thinking, she should have been withdrawn, remorseful, melancholy, angry, and passive. But Karen was none of those. She was genuinely sweet, kind, caring, gentle, and at peace with the world. She had something supernatural that I didn't have. And I had no idea what it was. Later on I would learn that she was a Christian and it was Jesus Christ that dwelt in her heart.  Looking back, the Lord used this young lady to "knock me off my feet" just like He did with Saul of Tarsus. God used Karen to get my attention.

It wasn't long after this that I left Disney and went to work for General Telephone Company. I had finished tech school and went to work as an inside equipment tech in Lakeland, FL. There were two other techs that befriended me and began witnessing to me about Jesus Christ. But this time I didn't tell them to back off. I listened to what they had to say. They quoted scripture verses to me. They gave me the scriptures and told me how to be saved. I listened! They invited me to their church. They were relentless. God was working on me. 

One night in my apartment I dropped to my knees and prayed. I asked Jesus Christ to forgive me of my sins and save my wretched soul. Nothing happened (that I knew of). I didn't see any lights. I didn't hear any bells. I didn't hear any angelic choir. I didn't feel any tingling. Nothing!  I went to work the next day and didn't mention this to anybody. Two weeks went by. Then one night I was working with one of my two buddies in the downtown GTE building on the SATT and 102 Directory floor. It was break time. He asked me if it was okay if he read to me some of his New Testament. I said "Sure." He then read all twenty-one verses of Revelation 19. As he read those verses something supernatural took place within me. That's the only way I can explain it. The hair on the back of my neck was standing straight up. Goose pimples were all over my arms and neck. I had never before heard the words he read. It was as if the words kindled a fire in my soul. I didn't say anything to my friend, just kept it to myself.

Later that night we got off about midnight. I remember walking down Tennessee Avenue in downtown Lakeland, Florida to the parking lot by Lake Morton. The sky was crystal clear with a million stars in view. I was thrilling to the fact that God had just revealed Himself to me. What had happened to me two weeks earlier was real! He was real! He was now my Savior! He heard my pathetic plea for mercy and salvation! I was experiencing the reality of a new birth in Jesus Christ. My life drastically changed in subsequent weeks and months. I experienced joy unspeakable and happiness in Christ.

I showed up at my two friend's church the following Sunday. I walked down the aisle after the sermon and made a public profession of my faith in Jesus Christ. Later, I joined that church. The Lord truly works in mysterious ways. He used the quiet and unassuming testimony of a grieving young widow to get my attention, knock me off my feet to the ground, and realize my need for a supernatural God. Then He used two coworkers get the Gospel of Jesus Christ to me. Paul said, "And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God" (1 Cor. 2:3-5).

I know of another beautiful young lady that God is currently using as a powerhouse of His Grace. She was diagnosed with bone cancer recently. She went through the ravages of Chemo and then a long surgery to replace part of her pelvis. With all the procedures, ports, PT, Pain management, et al, she still radiates the love of Christ to others. Her husband and children are right there with her with their love and support. From her wheelchair she sings with our Praise and Worship Team on Sundays. Another powerful testimony of Jesus Christ's love and grace. I can't help but wonder how many people she has unknowingly reached for Jesus Christ since the beginning of her journey.

While we're busy living our lives through good times and bad, we never know the effect that we have on others around us. I've learned that God is always on the lookout for opportunities to use our pain, whether emotional or physical, to have a profound impact on another individual. Paul said, "Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong" (2 Cor. 12:10). To God be the glory. James wrote, My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing (James 1:2-4).

If by chance there is someone reading this testimony that does not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ: You don't have to wait to be knocked down on your back like Saul. You simply need to understand a few basic truths:

·         Everyone is a sinner, Romans 3:23.

·         The penalty for sin is death and hell, Romans 6:23

·         Christ paid that debt on the cross, Ephesians 2:16, Philippians 2:8

·         Anyone that calls upon the Lord for salvation will not be turned down, Romans 10:13

·         Religion and "going to church" can't pay your sin debt. Jesus Christ is the only One who can save you, Acts 4:12.

          Therefore, since you are a sinner, you owe a sin debt. Jesus paid that debt. You must now accept Him as your Savior by faith. Simply pray and ask Him to save you right now.