Renewed Hope and Testimony of Salvation Through Jesus Christ

For most of my life, I found myself deeply rooted in religious practices, believing that these were the divine requirements of God. From an early age, I was indoctrinated by schools and my own reading of children's Bible storybooks. These stories predominantly focused on the Old Testament 'the LORD,' painting a picture of a God who required careful obedience and threatened judgment at the end of life. As I approached the end of high school, I was approached by the International Churches of Christ (ICOC), who offered me a chance to study the Bible more deeply. Intrigued and wanting clarity, I joined them.

The ICOC, while considered a cult by mainstream Christian churches, offered me a sense of purpose and community. Their doctrine centered around being pleasing to 'the LORD' by joining their church, attending services, reading the Bible daily, praying, recruiting members to be disciples, and undergoing baptisms. However, as I grew more familiar with their doctrines, I began to feel a deep sense of disappointment. The hypocrisy I observed within the community, where members did not live up to the high standards of discipleship, led me to join other churches and eventually a Messianic Judaism group that recognized Yeshua (Jesus) as the Messiah.

My thoughts were often consumed by the question of God's love. I became anxious, sleep-deprived, and eventually psychotic, leading to multiple hospital stays and a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. It was during this trying time that a pivotal thought struck me: If the core of my salvation was in the religious acts I performed, what did Jesus do on the cross?

It was during this moment of reflection that I remembered passages from the Bible, such as 'Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world' and 'It is finished.' These words began to resonate deeply within me. I realized that Jesus's sacrifice transcended time, taking away my sins from the past, present, and future, including even my failures as a disciple. As I turned my focus from my actions to the work Christ had done for me, a profound change occurred. My depression lifted, and I felt a stark transformation. Immediately, I felt the need to share my new understanding and faith with others.

Not long after this revelation, I faced significant life challenges. I lost my job, my marriage, and my home, all within a few short months. However, I did not lose my faith. Instead, I found a new purpose and direction. I grew, learned, and found a new job, a new wife, and a new home. My two sons from my previous marriage, now grown, chose to live with me, and I welcomed a new family. My current life is richer and more fulfilling than anything I could have imagined.

To summarize, the journey from religious practices to true faith in Jesus Christ was a series of trials and transformation. Through His sacrifice and love, I found hope and renewed purpose. I share my testimony here to encourage others who may be feeling the struggles and complexities of religious belief to turn to Christ and find the peace and salvation that come with true faith.