Someone suggested that he come visit with me, and he did. Over time, I shared the good news of Jesus with him. We talked about the God who made him and loved him. We talked about what a mess his life was … right after we talked about how I had made a mess of my life. I shared the amazing story of God’s own Son coming to live among us. I told of the sinless Savior who died for our sins. We talked about the relationship with Jesus that brings us into the family of God.

I shared the call of Jesus to come and die with him, to share in his death and resurrection. But he was not ready. He spent almost one year processing the good news of Jesus. He had to realize he could not make his life work on his own. He began to watch his own family try to live out their faith. He started dating a Christian woman. He visited worship often.

Then one night it all clicked. I wish I could tell you it was what he heard me say, but I think it just all finally made sense. He decided to give his life to Jesus in baptism. We got ready, and then he wouldn’t go in the water. He could not go through with it. After about one hour, we got to the root of the problem. He just could not accept the fact that God could forgive someone who had messed up as much as he had. So I shared my story, his dad shared his story, a family friend shared his. We prayed together. I could see that he had to decide if this whole Jesus story was just too good to be true.

It is hard to believe God can forgive someone as messed up as me. But he did ...

And that was when I knew he was about to get it. That is why it is good news … and it is true. It does not matter what you have done, or how bad you have been. No one is good enough to save themselves anyway. So Jesus did it for us.

And this young man did get it, we did baptize him, and he is my brother. Thanks to Jesus.

If you are one of those who thinks the Jesus story is too good to be true, visit www.hopeforlife.com. Or write me at steve@hopeforlife.org.

(Expressed written consent must be obtained prior to republishing, retransmitting or otherwise reusing the content of this article.

Are you presently experiencing a new life? God's word says, "if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" This new life is a free gift of God through faith in Jesus Christ. If you want to know more about this life that only Jesus can give you, sign up for one of our Bible courses. Wherever you are in life, whatever you've done, you can begin again. You may also contact us at info@hopeforlife.org if you have questions about becoming a new creation.

 

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© 2008 Herald of Truth Ministries

Title: "It Seems Too Good To Be True"
Author: Steve Ridgell
Publication Date: June 04, 2008

To Live Is Christ: Embracing the Passion of Paul by Beth Moore Tracing Paul's life from childhood to martyrdom, the book looks at how the apostle's life can give readers a renewed sense of purpose in God's plan.

Steve Ridgell serves as the Director of Ministry for Herald of Truth Ministries in Abilene, Texas and writes for Hopeforlife.org. You can reach him by writing to sridgell@heraldoftruth.org.

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