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by Dr. Jean UayaN
Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:
old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new, (II Corinthians 5:17 KJV)
I never really understood the profound meaning of this beautiful Bible verse until I experienced a wonderful change in my old life. I guess many a Christian are the same, although they’ve read this passage innumerable times in the past, they never actually learn what that famous Apostle was talking about and find it hard to appreciate the truth in this verse.
Actually, I’ve been memorizing these words ever since I was a kid, hut somehow I could never find anything special or beautiful about them. When I began to know what true salvation meant, and when I sincerely asked Jesus Christ to come into my heart, these words still didn’t ring any special chords inside me.
The situation got to a point when I even began to wonder if I was truly saved or not, because I could not see any change in my life that could serve as evidence. I was still as short-tempered and as self-centered as ever. My attitudes towards my parents, my teachers, and my environment were still the same. I was gradually and unconsciously sliding downhill in my Christian life.
Rebellious
Upon reaching the age of adolescence, I went under several changes; only, they were for the worse. I became very rebellious. I rebelled sometimes with my parents, sometimes with my teachers and elders, and verγ often with God. I also became very stubborn — everything had to be my way or else I would not be satisfied.
Before reaching this age, I had dedicated my life to God during a local Summer Conference. I guess I was then emotionally motivated because a few weeks afterwards I had forgotten the whole thing. In the Summer Conferences that followed I began to fight against God.
I quenched the Holy Spirit every time He worked in me. I told myself that I was being emotionally stirred-up and I should be more rational.
This went on for quite some time. Meanwhile I was getting worse, character-wise. Although I was doing quite well in my studies, in fact getting honors, but my personality and character readily out-balanced this. I developed bad habits and began to find going to church services and meetings a big bore.
Somewhat like Paul
However, deep inside me I knew I was heading for the wrong direction, and I could not find sufficient reason for me to stop. One day, it suddenly dawned on me that I was somewhat like Paul when he described himself in Romans 7. What he knew he shouldn’t do he was doing, and what he knew he should do he didn’t do. That was exactly my situation.
Finally, I told God that if I really belonged to Him, and if He really loved me enough to send His son to die for me, He would help me to get rid of my bad habits. Then, He began to work.
He began to work
I don’t know how it really began, but my whole view of life suddenly changed. I looked upon my life as meaningless and worthless. My habits became repugnant to me. The words of God suddenly became more meaningful, as if they were speaking to me directly.
Gradually, I found I could resist the bad habits if I was sincere in praying for God’s help and steadfast in trusting the Lord. I began to realize the magnanimity and deepness of the love of God for us human beings. Suddenly, it pained me to see the millions and millions of lost, unsaved souls around me. It also pained me to see that many Christians were doing nothing about it.
After this surprising turn of events, the next time that I read this verse I understood what Paul meant. For any one in Christ, old things do pass away and become new, if only we let Him come and take over our sinful and corrupt lives.
That’s what being in Christ really means. Thank God for letting me have the privilege of being in Him. Hallelujah! What a Savior!
reprinted from 60th Anniversary Souvenir, Cebu Gospel Church, 1976.
Dr. Jean Uayan was baptized at Cebu Gospel Church in 1967. She is Professor of Global Christian History and also head of the Library at Biblical Seminary of the Philippines (bsop.ph). She is a graduate of the University of San Carlos (BSc, Math) and received a Master of Biblical Studies from BSOP, Master of Theology from Asia Theological Seminary and Doctor of Philosophy from Asia Graduate School of Theology.
Look for the author’s article “Leaving Your Legacy” in the coming Centennial Issue of Gospel Light.
[:zh]
by Dr. Jean UayaN
Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:
old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new, (II Corinthians 5:17 KJV)
I never really understood the profound meaning of this beautiful Bible verse until I experienced a wonderful change in my old life. I guess many a Christian are the same, although they’ve read this passage innumerable times in the past, they never actually learn what that famous Apostle was talking about and find it hard to appreciate the truth in this verse.
Actually, I’ve been memorizing these words ever since I was a kid, hut somehow I could never find anything special or beautiful about them. When I began to know what true salvation meant, and when I sincerely asked Jesus Christ to come into my heart, these words still didn’t ring any special chords inside me.
The situation got to a point when I even began to wonder if I was truly saved or not, because I could not see any change in my life that could serve as evidence. I was still as short-tempered and as self-centered as ever. My attitudes towards my parents, my teachers, and my environment were still the same. I was gradually and unconsciously sliding downhill in my Christian life.
Rebellious
Upon reaching the age of adolescence, I went under several changes; only, they were for the worse. I became very rebellious. I rebelled sometimes with my parents, sometimes with my teachers and elders, and verγ often with God. I also became very stubborn — everything had to be my way or else I would not be satisfied.
Before reaching this age, I had dedicated my life to God during a local Summer Conference. I guess I was then emotionally motivated because a few weeks afterwards I had forgotten the whole thing. In the Summer Conferences that followed I began to fight against God.
I quenched the Holy Spirit every time He worked in me. I told myself that I was being emotionally stirred-up and I should be more rational.
This went on for quite some time. Meanwhile I was getting worse, character-wise. Although I was doing quite well in my studies, in fact getting honors, but my personality and character readily out-balanced this. I developed bad habits and began to find going to church services and meetings a big bore.
Somewhat like Paul
However, deep inside me I knew I was heading for the wrong direction, and I could not find sufficient reason for me to stop. One day, it suddenly dawned on me that I was somewhat like Paul when he described himself in Romans 7. What he knew he shouldn’t do he was doing, and what he knew he should do he didn’t do. That was exactly my situation.
Finally, I told God that if I really belonged to Him, and if He really loved me enough to send His son to die for me, He would help me to get rid of my bad habits. Then, He began to work.
He began to work
I don’t know how it really began, but my whole view of life suddenly changed. I looked upon my life as meaningless and worthless. My habits became repugnant to me. The words of God suddenly became more meaningful, as if they were speaking to me directly.
Gradually, I found I could resist the bad habits if I was sincere in praying for God’s help and steadfast in trusting the Lord. I began to realize the magnanimity and deepness of the love of God for us human beings. Suddenly, it pained me to see the millions and millions of lost, unsaved souls around me. It also pained me to see that many Christians were doing nothing about it.
After this surprising turn of events, the next time that I read this verse I understood what Paul meant. For any one in Christ, old things do pass away and become new, if only we let Him come and take over our sinful and corrupt lives.
That’s what being in Christ really means. Thank God for letting me have the privilege of being in Him. Hallelujah! What a Savior!
reprinted from 60th Anniversary Souvenir, Cebu Gospel Church, 1976.
Dr. Jean Uayan was baptized at Cebu Gospel Church in 1967. She is Professor of Global Christian History and also head of the Library at Biblical Seminary of the Philippines (bsop.ph). She is a graduate of the University of San Carlos (BSc, Math) and received a Master of Biblical Studies from BSOP, Master of Theology from Asia Theological Seminary and Doctor of Philosophy from Asia Graduate School of Theology.
Look for the author’s article “Leaving Your Legacy” in the coming Centennial Issue of Gospel Light.
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