
Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 5, 1.
I had come to God. But another two years passed before I fully grasped that I now truly had the assurance of faith. I had found acceptance and been saved in Jesus Christ. I knew that I would go to heaven and not perish.
What inner struggles I had during those two years before I was finally assured of my salvation was like feeling my way through a dark tunnel. But I had entrusted myself to One who was stronger: to Jesus Christ, who guided me through my physical addictions and psychic troubles. Moreover, many helpful Christians supported me constantly during that time with their prayers and pastoral care, for which I am still grateful for them.
At the same time I recognized that God had affected not only my heart but also my conscience. That was unpleasant but salutary in the truest sense of the word. There were things in my life that were not in order. I confessed them before Jesus Christ and prayed for forgiveness. Good and evil took on another role for me. I acknowledged that I was a sinner and that Jesus Christ died on the cross vicariously for the forgiveness of my wicked deeds. I thanked Him and received peace with God.
As a redeemer Christian I can live with my Lord and God. I know that I am secure in Him in spite of any of life’s storms that come upon a Christian. Moreover, the Bible, the Word of God is constantly a guide and a help to me.