I was raised in a Christian family, attending church and Sunday school throughout my life. My parents taught me about Jesus and modeled Christian values in their daily lives, planting the seeds of faith early on. When I was about 12 years old, I made a personal decision to accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior and committed my life to following Him. Although I felt this decision deeply, I was initially hesitant to share it publicly because I was shy and afraid of being in the spotlight, especially since it would mean being baptized in front of many people. Surprisingly, during a large gathering that included multiple churches in our community, I found the courage to openly declare my faith. That moment was very important for me—it marked a turning point in my spiritual journey.
Interestingly, in my early years, I believed that salvation depended not only on faith in Jesus but also on my own efforts to stay faithful. This led me to think I had to be perfect in my spiritual life, and I often felt guilty whenever I fell short. During my teenage years and early adulthood, I kept God at a distance out of fear—fearing that my sins might cause me to lose His favor, and feeling shame and guilt whenever I made mistakes.
However, when I reached my mid-twenties, I started studying the Bible more carefully and listening to teachings from different sources. This helped me understand something very important: true salvation is a gift from God through faith in Jesus Christ. When I accepted Jesus, my sins are forgiven—completely and forever. I learned that God’s love for us is unconditional, much like the love of a caring parent who does not abandon their child for mistakes, but loves them regardless. While God may guide us and correct us when we go astray, He does not reject those who put their trust in Jesus.
This understanding changed my perspective and brought me peace. It allowed me to develop a closer, more trusting relationship with God—one based on His grace and love, not fear and guilt. Now, I believe that salvation is a gift that comes from God’s mercy, made possible through Jesus Christ, and that His love is always available to those who seek Him with sincerity.
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