Freedom From Condemnation, Walking On Cloud Nine

I’ve been a Christian since young. I first learned about our wonderful Father from my aunt and when I was in my Methodist primary school. I’ve always had the impression that God as my Father is a very loving yet strict judge—you do good, you get good, but if you do bad, He’ll hit you with His stick. So I was always telling Him how sorry I was and how I would never do this and that again. But of course, I kept failing.

When I went on to secondary school, I hopped from relationship to relationship with girls, hoping that they would love me, to fill the void within me. But every one of the relationships failed. I also started indulging myself in games and that slowly affected my grades.

I tried to earn my way back into my Father’s good books by attending a Presbyterian church and getting myself baptized. I even went as far as to join evangelistic groups outside of the church. By the time I entered the polytechnic, I’d lost all meaning of what I’m on this earth for. I kept asking why God created me, when He knew that I would sin in the first place. And the more I “preached” during outreach to strangers on the school grounds, the lousier I felt. Something was really missing and I forsook God and started to focus on my own efforts.

Subsequently, I was drafted into National Service where I felt really frightened especially at night. It was then that I heard about New Creation Church. Initially, I was a little hesitant as the image of attending a mega church didn’t exactly strike a chord with me. Fortunately, I made it to one service and right at that service, the scales fell off my eyes! It was like the river flowed again in my heart! This was what I was waiting for!

I started resting in Jesus’ finished work and did well in my studies. It has also been a lot easier for me to make friends now because I feel secure in my identity that is based on the solid foundation of Jesus’ finished work.

I no longer feel condemned and I am walking on cloud nine. It took me more than 20 years to realize the grace of my Abba Father and His Son’s finished work! I now know why God made us even though He knew that we would sin. The answer is because He loves us.

Pastor Prince, thank you. God has changed my life through you.