A Shared Testimony from Max
An old facebook friend of mine actually kept this testimony that I had written a long time ago. I don’t even remember where or when I had shared this. Today, she shared it on her facebook page. Praise God!! Below was what I wrote:
For the first 4-5 years of calling myself a Christian, I thought I was a Christian. However, there was no real conviction in me - I have to admit that. I prayed the sinner's prayer, went to church on Sundays, but all I cared was the things that God can provide for me. I wanted to be wealthy and healthy. All I cared for was a comfortable worldly life. To be honest, I have not loved the word of God, neither have I cared for what the Bible says. I didn't even read the Bible!! To me back then, the Bible was foreign and hard to understand. I only relied on the words of my ex-pastor, Joseph Prince. He was the Bible for me. I only need to listen to his words, and to me back then, that was my one-way ticket to heaven when I passed on from this world into the next.
(Proverbs 1:1-7) "The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; 2 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; 3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; 4 To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. 5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: 6 To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. 7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction."
Those were the words that convicted me when I heard them for the first time. Before that, I didn't know what instruction is, I didn't know what judgment is, I didn't know what justice is, I didn't know what wisdom is, I didn't know what understanding is, because I have none of it!! All I cared for was myself, my flesh, my pleasures, my own interpretation of God. I was that "simple man" in Proverbs 1:4. I cared not for the wisdom of God. I didn't know what the fear of God is, because my ex-pastor did not teach us the meaning. Everything about my Christianity was according to the will of my flesh - I am a Christian because I identified myself as one. Not according to the Bible. Not according to the word of God. The sinner's prayer I prayed was not genuine from my heart. Rather, I saw it as a seal of guarantee that I will go to heaven after I prayed that prayer. I have not understood the meaning of "justice". I had no understanding of what sin was. I don't even care whether or not I was a sinner!! All I care about was blessings, health, wealth and success.
That was until things began to happen in my life. Then, my eyes began to be opened to the King James Bible - the pure word of God. Yes, I am not ashamed to call the King James Bible the pure word of God, for indeed, it is. Then I was stirred up to study the King James Bible.
Back in the year 2012, before I converted to the King James Bible, I attended a megachurch in Singapore. In that church, we were taught that there are no differences between different bibles. Actually we were being lied to. So it happened my parents-in-law moved in with us, and my wife wanted to get her father a bible. She went to the book shop of the megachurch we were attending and bought a King James Bible unknowingly. Actually she wanted to buy a New King James, but it was out of stock and the shop-keeper, perhaps eager to close the deal, told her that the King James Bible and the New King James are the same (the shop-keeper being lied to as well). When she got the Bible home, I checked and actually I was a little upset with her because I told her specifically to get a modern version bible. She wanted to prove me wrong, and so she randomly opened the Bible, and started reading from the Book of Proverbs. When the pure word of God came out from her mouth, I was stunned in the spirit… for the first time. I didn't tell her of course, but I have never heard such gracious words. Then I quickly dismissed the thoughts and asked her to stop reading. The truth of it was that it was too much for me to bear. I said to her: "Let me have that Bible", and I got her to buy an NIV for my father-in-law instead (my bad). I kept and use that Bible to this day. Then by God's grace, He drew me out of that megachurch sometime between 2013 and 2014 when He convicted me that the King James Bible is the pure word of God through the preaching of Pastor Mike Hoggard of Bethel Church, Festus Missouri.
That was the "seed" that has been sown in my heart, through my wife in a twist of fate. That "seed" has certainly taken root and brought forth a new man in me that is "... not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1:13 KJV)
(Luke 8:15) "But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience."
It was through an honest heart and much diligence in studying the word of God for myself, in that sense, watering the "seed" that was already planted on the good ground of my heart (though it was not my will to do that), that I started to notice a change in me. It was not just a change in my attitude, but there was a whole new man living in me. I began to love the word of God. I began to understand things in the word of God. I began to commune with the LORD my God with words from the King James Bible. I began to pray with faith and watch God do things in my life. At that point, I know that I am already fully surrendered to Jesus Christ, because I know and am convicted that the word of God is God, and Jesus Christ is LORD!!
At that point, when Jesus Christ is LORD in your life, you know that he is also your Shepherd. He takes care of you. He heals your broken heart. He loves you as his own. He fulfilled the judgment of the wicked (you) on your behalf because you believed in him !! That's when you are sure and certain that you will go to heaven when you die one day, when this sinful sheath of your body expired, and your soul be joined with the rest of the body of Christ in heavenly realm, to be with your Lord and Saviour for ever and ever.
That was the whole mystery of the gospel that I was a part of, and now I am sharing my testimony here with you, and whosoever will hear me. May the LORD help you in your struggles.
Thanks Rose Loehr!