Guest blog by Clayton KingI met Richie one evening after I spoke at a conference for university students. He immediately struck me as being extremely intelligent. He began asking honest questions about my message, about the basics of Christianity, and the claims of Christ and of scripture. He informed me that he was Hindu, but that he was also a free thinker, something that most university students adhere to in Malaysia.
We spent a little less than an hour talking about how all religions may contain elements of the truth, but they cannot all possibly be true because they contradict one another on multiple levels. Hinduism, I told him, believed in a multitude of Gods, none of which love people and none of which died to save people from their sins. Orthodox Christianity claims there is but one God, and Jesus was that God come in the flesh to this world in love to deal once and for all with our sin on the cross.
He listened intently but gave no indication he was ready to go any further. I walked away thankful for the chance to share but not expecting to see any sort of immediate fruit from the conversation. Man, was I surprised!
The next message I preached was a simple Biblical and apologetic sermon on the person of Christ and His death and resurrection for our salvation and the atonement of sins. I gave an invitation (something many people cringe at, especially beyond American Evangelical borders) and 33 students indicated that they had prayed to receive Christ. Richie was one of them.
I walked to the very back row where he was seated and he told me that he knew he was supposed to convert to faith in Christ, because he knew it was true. He said he felt hot all over his body, his heart was beating fast, and all he wanted to do was cry. We prayed and he shared his decision with a campus minister that had been sharing with him for some time.
Two days later, Richie was spending some time with our group while we were walking around town, and he asked me if he could share the rest of his testimony with me. I tried to write it down verbatim. Here it is, with his permission.
“
Clayton, I had been hearing about Jesus for sometime, and was confused about so many things, then I went to church with my friend. After church, I kept thinking about the words and about Jesus, but did not want to leave my tradition. But a few nights later, in my sleep, Jesus appeared to me in a dream. He did not say any words, He just stood there looking at me and smiling. I felt great calm and peace, and I knew that He loved me in my dream. When you asked us to put all our faith in Him, I felt that same calm come over me, and I knew it was time for me to submit to Him. Now I am a Christian and I love Jesus, too.”
I really don’t think that testimony needs much explanation or commentary from me. God is already in all the places where we pray the gospel will spread, and we get the joy of being those who carry it to this world. Glory to God for Jesus, Who is still alive and still calling people to Himself!
Has God ever used you to suddenly change someone's life?
Comments (16)
Awesome testimony!
"Has God ever used you to suddenly change someone's life?"
Yeah, I've had the opportunity to lead a person to Christ. It's the most amazing feeling in the world. And other times I'm quite often called to be a counselor to people, sometimes that works out in small things, and sometimes in huge things.
Either way I'm thankful. To God be the Glory!
amen<3
wow.
that's very interesting, but I'm hindu and i'm not appreciating the hinduism bashing going on up there.
miraculous...and no. I have never been used in any manner like this
This inspiring.
I have yet to be used by Christ...unless my artwork has..
God only knows.
@pilofrice@xanga - There's Hinduism bashing in that article...?
i keep hearing about dream conversions like this one in the Middle East- in areas where the Gospel cannot go due to tight restrictions on Christians. Muslims are coming to faith in Christ in droves this way!
i've only had one experience where God used me so clearly- when i was about 9, 10 and 11, I took my friends at the apartment complex where I lived to church with me as often as they could go, then i was able to get one of them to go with me to church camp and on the last day while we were in swimming rec, she point blank asked me to baptize her because she believed. So I had her give her confession of faith and I baptized her right there and then. That winter coming, I moved away and I haven't seen her since, but I hope she's still walking with the Lord.
as far as I know, no but I would like for Him to.
@pilofrice@xanga - after reading your comment, I went back to read what the article said. I saw that the differences between the belief systems were contrasted (not just listed), but that is all. Where did the bashing come in?
I want to be sure I am not guilty of anything like that, so I ask only because I don't see the injury, not because I am challenging your view. Bless you, and Peace.
My mom had a similar experience when Jesus came to her in a dream telling her that He is the only one and that she needs to follow Him. Unfortunately, she is still wavering between her traditional Chinese culture and Jesus. I think the main hinderance is that she finds many Christians to be unpleasant and hypocritical. If you read this comment, please lift up a prayer for her. My brother and I have been praying for my parents for about 5 years now...
@merrystar@xanga - "Hinduism, I told him, believed in a multitude of Gods, none of which
love people and none of which died to save people from their sins"
i feel its implied.
Wow! God is great!!
@merrystar@xanga - Hi, I'm sorry. Are you responding to my comment? If you mean "alright" that you'll pray for my parents, I am forever grateful. Thank you. God bless~
@silvervknight@xanga - That's awesome that God revealed Himself to your mom so clearly. Don't give up on your parents! I am praying for them right now, that their hearts will be softened and turn to Christ.
I love the post -- God is so powerful!
@goodnessgraceness@xanga - Thanks! :)
The author of this article has a very superficial understanding of Hinduism.
@IMChurchmouse@xanga - Here is a tidbit on Hinduism. We do not worship multiple Gods. The role of the deities is to show unity in all things. In Hinduism, there is only God and He is everywhere and in everything. In that sense, we all have the Divine in us. We grow up believing that we are all equal -- how can you injure something that is Divine, that is a part of you? Hinduism is an incredibly compassionate and tolerant philosophy -- we respect all paths to the Lord.