John,

I have a dear friend who is from Japan. He's a Christian businessman here in the Midwest and I have a close relationship with him. No one else in his family are Christians and they all live in Japan. They hold to the national religion of Japan, Buddhism. However he has come to know the living God, whom to know is life eternal, and is now a vibrant Christian. In the last year when he returned to Japan on one of his many trips there, he had the opportunity to share his testimony to the grace of God in a church in his home town. Knowing my friend Kim I'm sure this opportunity was used by the Lord to touch many lives. I can tell you there has been much progress in his life and he probably couldn't have given this testimony only a few years ago. That's because Kim is a very sensitive quiet man but as he grows in his faith he's also gaining boldness. It's a beautiful thing to behold.

Don't worry if you can't give a dramatic testimony. Just tell your story. Did you know that you've had a tremendous privilege being raised in a Christian home? Even though you feel that you weren't a Christian when you were a child you were still blessed by the grace of God through your exposure to the Bible and your Christian parents. You may not realize it but it probably has a lot of influence on the man you are today. Now it appears you agree with Paul that there's a struggle that goes on because sin dwells in us. Let me just encourage you that the closer you get to the Light the more obvious your sins will be. Don't get discouraged because every believer fights this same battle. Repentance and faith is not only our response to the Gospel but it is our daily practice as we continue in fellowship with our Savior. Don't try to give anyone the impression that you have no problems. Just remember who has begun this good work in you and will also bring it to completion. Praise Him!

May God bless you as you give testimony to Jesus Christ in your small congregation in Japan.

Here's a couple of biblical examples of changed lives:

Acts 4:13 "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus."

Acts 9 tells us of a man named Saul who was breathing out threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord until he was converted on the road to Damascus. As you know he was transformed from one who was persecuting the church of Jesus Christ to a chosen vessel who preached that Christ is the Son of God in the synagogues. God also prepared him to be a great missionary.

As John Newton wrote, "Once I was blind, but now I can see." The Light of the world is Jesus.


Wes <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/bravo.gif" alt="" />

When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of Glory died, my richest gain I count but loss and pour contempt on all my pride. - Isaac Watts