The Personal Salvation Testimony of Brent Riggs

On Easter day, 1976, as a 10-year-old boy, I responded to a tangible conviction to make things right with God.  Romans 8:7-9

I had been becoming more and more aware of my sin and the displeasure God had in my sinful behavior. Even at a young age, I knew the need to become "right" with God.  Romans 6:22-24

I had been taught that all people were born sinners, that all people come up short in their own efforts to be good, and that there was one way, and ONLY one way to saved.  John 14:5-7

I was a sinner. God's justice demanded I be punished for it. The price of that punishment was something I could not pay. Jesus, in His love for me, had paid the price already. And though I couldn't fathom why He did it, I accepted His offer to pay for my sins. My new life began.  John 1:29, John 3:16

Over years I experienced periods of "being serious" about my faith mixed with times of doing just enough to "stay in good" with God. The Lord slowly, but faithfully, showed me more and more that being His child is not about what I do for Him, but how much I am willing to surrender to Him, and allow Him to show me His Will.  Romans 12:1,2

Through almost three decades God has shown incredible patience and mercy moving me ever closer to total surrender, dependence, and complete trust that His plan for my life is right on schedule and not in any danger of being derailed up by me.  Phil 1:6

Scripture References:

Romans 8
7 the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so.
8 Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.
9 You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.

Romans 6
22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

John 14
5 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"
6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
7 If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."

John 1
29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

John 3
16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Romans 12
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.
2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Philippians 1
6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.