ASTOUNDED BY THE GOSPEL – BILYANA DE SOTO

• Assurance
• Bible
• Church
• Dr Desmond Ford
• Gospel
• Jesus
• New Testament
• Righteousness
• Salvation

Feb 28, 2014 2083

Although for most of my first 20 years as a Christian, I had faithfully attended church every Sabbath, I did not know the joy of salvation available in Jesus Christ and Him only.

How could there be real joy without real assurance that it’s all of His accomplishment on my behalf. My salvation formula was always one where somehow rather Christ left too great a burden in my share of the load. Since nothing I did ever was or felt good enough, there was more reason to fear and tremble than to rejoice.

Then came the Avondale years where Des Ford’s message sounded far too good to be true, but also far too good not to be true. As I listened to Des preach, the truth of the gospel captured my soul. Like a captive bird about to be set free to soar, I knew God was delivering a personally signed, sealed and delivered message to me. I remember being in one of Des Ford’s classes where we were challenged to read the book of Romans from beginning to end in one sitting. My moment of joy was unsurpassed when I came to chapter 5.

´So then as through one trespass the judgment came unto all men to condemnation; even so through one act of righteousness the free gift came unto all men to justification of life.” Rom 5:18 Amer. St. Version)

The Power of the Holy Spirit working on my heart was overwhelming and I remember falling on my knees, tears of joy and gratitude flowing freely… my burden was lifted at Calvary at that moment! The Truth had set me free. I began to understand the difference between being a follower of a religion to being a follower of Christ. There is salvation in Him only!

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