When I consider my life as a Christian, all scripture has been important, but the Lord used a few passages in particular to effect significant change in my life. These verses are Romans 3:20; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; and John 17:3.
Romans 3:20 says, “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” After my freshman year of college I shared an apartment with Bob Towne, the leader for Young Life. Sharing an apartment with Bob was contingent upon one thing—I had to read three books: Basic Christianity by John Stott; Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis; and The Lost Art of Disciple Making by Leroy Eims. In late July of 1980, Bob left for a two-week camp in British Columbia. Before departing, he reminded me that I had promised to read these books.
Over a week later, I began reading Basic Christianity. As I read the chapters explaining the law and the consequence of sin, God used them to open my eyes to the knowledge of sin. God revealed my sinfulness, the awful consequences of sin, and the eternal judgment that awaited me in the Lake of Fire. In tears, at 2:00 am on August 9, I cried to God, asking for forgiveness and deliverance from sin. As I grieved over my sinfulness, God brought verses to my mind which I had heard over the previous year. These verses spoke of the death of Christ for sins, the love of God for the world, and the free gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. My tears of grief turned to tears of joy and thankfulness as I considered what these verses meant and the gift God offered me. With thankfulness I trusted in Christ for my salvation.
Second Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” About a week after my salvation, Young Life had a weekly Bible study in Moorhead, ND. My car was broken down so I walked to the Bible study. The topic of the study was 2 Timothy 3:16-17. I absorbed these verses like a sponge, being especially affected by the last portion, “that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” The following week, our study topic was the Lordship of Christ, which I also readily absorbed. After the second Bible study, the leaders asked me if anything happened in my life recently. Steve Kapaun said that the Larry Sax he had known would not walk across town to a Bible study. I explained how God graciously revealed my need for salvation and of the sacrifice of His Son to die for my sins.
The following week, our study topic was the person and work of the Holy Spirit. These three studies established a good foundation for my life as a believer. There were still issues in my life which God needed to address, but the course was established. Reading the Scriptures daily, I looked for God’s instructions that would prepare me to walk in the good works for which He had created me.
I was impressed by Titus 2:14 where it says, “Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a people, zealous of good works.” My desire grew to walk in good works for His glory.
I noticed God included in His Word instructions to individual believers and how they should live for His glory. I also noticed God provided instructions to the church and how it should function. I observed that the local church I was attending did not follow these truths. The next spring a co-worker, Mark Labor, asked me to attend Sunday meetings with him. After the meetings he asked me what I thought about my visit. I responded that I had seen truths in practice that morning which I had seen in the Scriptures. Starting that Sunday, I began meeting with this group of believers which continue to meet at Meadow Ridge Bible Chapel in West Fargo, ND.
John 17:3 says, “This is life eternal, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou has sent.” The elders at Meadow Ridge encouraged the believers to read through the Bible each year. This thorough reading of God’s Word, in addition to my devotional time with the Lord, proved to have a significant impact in my life.
The Lord drew my attention to John 17:3, impressing in my mind the importance of knowing God. This became a central part of my Bible study as I noticed other verses such as 2 Peter 1:2-10 and Psalm 46:10. God caused me to see how important it was to not only look to His Word for instruction about walking in good works, but also to search His Word to learn about God, His character, and His ways.
What God taught me about Himself has proven to be extremely beneficial. Many times I did not immediately understand a certain truth of Scripture or why I was enduring trials in my life. However, I knew who my heavenly Father was, and learned to trust Him based on His character and His ways.
What God revealed to me about Himself helped me to avoid error. If a teaching did not fit with His character, how could it be His truth? At other times, the knowledge of God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ proved a great comfort and encouragement when I encountered various trials.
These verses continue to have an impact in my life and the life of my family. In following these truths I came to know my wife while serving at Story Book Lodge Christian Camp. It is because of these verses that we are living in Sioux Falls, SD. More than anything, we want others to come to the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus and grow in their knowledge of the Lord. May He be glorified in all our lives as we grow in our knowledge of Him and walk in the good works for which we are created in Christ Jesus.