Árpád Bagdán

It is not possible to be born as a Christian. A home in heaven cannot be obtained by work. I know this now but it was not always this way.

I was not much different from other people. I tried to meet the requirements of the world round me, studied hard and and succeeded in keeping the law. I knew only a few things about Christianity. I considered it a remnant of past ages that had no value or message to modern people. I saw no difference between church attending and worldly people except for keeping the various church laws. I had no desire either to know their faith or to keep company with them. I thought I was good enough.

As time passed, I refused Christianity though I decided to begin an investigation based on facts and knowledge. After studying some chapters in the Bible, I concluded that the Bible is controversial, dull and confusing on many places, and that God did not withhold His punishment when His laws were violated. I began to attend a Bible study class at a secondary school hoping to get some answers to my questions but I was disappointed. I felt as though my try was a failure.

I began my university studies full of questions and prejudices. I was busy in studying but still desired to know the truth. But I knew this search for truth would be oppressed by the new friends and environment and the problems generated by them.

At that time I found the Lord. The testimony of two Christian young men made me realize that my biggest problem was not prejudice or lack of knowledge and understanding but sin. Sin separated me from God and kept me from knowing His plan concerning my life and understanding the Bible as God's revealed truth to man. For the very first time in my life, I realized that if I did not deal with my own sin, I would be totally separated from God and go to hell for eternity. I found that God's forgiveness and eternal life is free for anyone who is willing to accept it through Jesus Christ. It was hard to understand that I was not good enough for God. At the same time, I was amazed by the love that Jesus showed by letting Himself be sacrificed to save me from hell.

Humility and love led me to the decision of confessing my sins and handing over my life to God asking Him to be my Master. I knew that decision would end a part of my life and a new unknown phase would begin. I trusted the One who had given his own life for me. That night in the autumn of 1994 was a turning point in my life. A door had been opened to me through which I can have a personal relationship with the living God Who teaches me to recognize others and see my own real needs. God encourages and comforts me in times of trouble and leads and corrects me when I stray from the right path. Now I know that God has a message for everyone but it is available only for those who give up their own way of life and turn to the Creator with humility.

© 2005 Valerie Knies | PLACE AN ORDER HERE | Comments for webmaster