Better Dads Better Kids

Kurtis Minton

9/26/10

Confirmation Testimony

Faith

            Faith is the most important part of a Christian’s life. Hebrews 11: 1 says, “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” My faith started when I was very young. I was born into a Christian family and was baptized here at St. Paul’s. I began to go to church and Sunday school and my faith began to grow. I also started school at the LSA. I was taught about all the great things God had done for me, especially sending his son to die for my salvation and the gift of eternal life in heaven. I remember I finally began to God seriously when I was in fifth grade. I will always remember Vicar Carl’s sermons. They seemed to keep me awake and allow me to pay attention, even though my short attention span had previously kept me from really thinking about what the pastor was rambling on about for twenty minutes or more. I will always remember Vicar Carl’s sermon on Amazing Grace. I finally realized then what God was really about and the amazing gifts he has given us. When confirmation started, my friends and I began to learn about God’s Ten Commandments and how God wants us to live. We also learned about the benefits of our faith like forgiveness, rebirth, and salvation. Ultimately we learned how to live out our faith and be true followers of Christ.

               My faith did not just randomly appear one day. My faith has been a journey starting from the moment I was born. I now believe that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior and only through him will I reach heaven. My confirmation verse is John 14:6 “I am the way and the truth and the life no one comes to the father except through me.” I have gained a relationship with God that will help me to continue to follow his plan for my life. I know he is always watching over me and will never leave me. He has also given me his holy spirit to lead me and be a guide for my life. I kind of see faith as climbing a mountain. It’s hard for some to start for the fear of failing is great. At first we can walk. It’s easy, but then we have to beginning climbing. The goal is to get to the top, but it is easy just to stop after the first cliff. We can’t stop there, we have to keep going. We get stronger and learn how to conquer the mountain. Most mountains are too difficult to conquer alone. If you ask most mountain climbers they will tell you to never climb by yourself. It is the same with our faith journey, the only way to get to the top is to let God be our partner. We need to let him lead, trust in him, and commit to him 100% because he is the way conquer. He is the only way to heaven.

            We devote our lives to so many things, but sharing our faith is not always one of them. Often we do not take advantage of the opportunities given to us to let others hear the Gospel. Matthew 28:19-20 says, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded youm, and surely I will be with you always to the very end of the age.” My faith is not just about what it can do for me, it’s about what it can do for others. First off, I need to use my faith to bring others to Christ and be willing to share how God has saved me. I can also use my faith to build relationships, like the ones I have already created with my friends here at St. Paul’s. I can also use my faith to help others grow in their faith. This means I need to be a good example of Christ’s love and kindness. Jesus told his disciples to go out and share the Gospel and their faith. It cost some of them their lives. Peter was even crucified like Jesus was.  In the end their sacrifice led thousands to be saved. By God’s gift of his Amazing Grace, my faith has saved me and now I want to use it to help save others.