The Gospel In Me: April 17, 2016

Before every baptism we have the privilege to hear stories of how God has saved people in our church and community through the gospel. In order to encourage one another, we will be posting these “gospel stories” after each baptism!
Chris Jeemin Moon
I grew up in a Christian home in Korea and was baptized as a baby. When I was young, God gave me a desire to dedicate my life for him. I wanted to live for him, yet I was a self-righteous man. I judged others, and considered myself as a better Christian. I knew I needed to be saved from my sin, but I had not realized that I needed to be saved from my own righteousness. Because my righteousness is nothing but filthy rags.
God showed me my sin, especially when I was in the Army in Korea. I was bitter to my chaplain and fellow soldiers. I did not do what God wanted me to do. In many ways, I was rebellious to him.
But in the midst of the darkest days, Christ sought me out, and I repented of my sins and trusted in Christ and Him only.
I know that I’m still a sinner, yet forgiven. I’m still unrighteous, yet became righteous by the blood of Jesus. For it is by grace I have been saved, through faith. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Junseong Choi
I was born in a Christian family in Korea and influenced by Christian culture when I grew up. My father was a college professor and my mom stayed at home took care of me and my brother. On October 30th 2000, when I was 5th grade, my father passed away because of unknown decease. It was huge shock for me as a kid.After my father passed away, mother was not at home most of the time because she had to work to take care of me and my brother.
Until I came to United States, I was on the wrong path so many times; hung out with bad friends and did what I shouldn’t do many times. After I came to United States in 2006, it was very hard because of the language barrier and culture shock. I looked at myself that I couldn’t do anything right and I felt like I was useless.
I blamed God so many times and asked, “Why have only bad things happened to me?”
But at the summer retreat in 2008, the 2nd night service was about living life for God.  I really wanted to know what God wanted me to do so I prayed hard after service and suddenly I felt that I want to give my everything to Jesus even though I had not much to give. I also confessed my sin and trusted in Christ as my only hope for salvation. I wanted to live my life for Jesus for the first time. I thought it was a feeling that would go away quickly but I realized that it was not by my effort and strength, but Christ’s. As Paul wrote to the Galatians: I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
With God’s grace, I have completed my college, and now I’m attending Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. I’ve never had a chance to get baptized. It is such a blessing that I can say “I died with Jesus Christ, I was buried with him and now I am raised with Christ to new life”