Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
1 Peter 2:10 (NIV)
I have often heard people say that they grew up in church or in a spiritual environment, perhaps because of their parents, but they never knew Jesus personally, even though in their hearts they always considered themselves Christians and were sincere in their faith. It wasn't until years later that they received God's salvation because they heard a message that led them to repentance and true conversion.
When you come to the Lord, even if you are not sure of the true meaning of your decision at the time you made it, God will receive you. He will open his arms to you and cover you with his grace because you are precious to him. Since he knows the desire and the reality of your heart, he will make a plan for you to restore you completely, renewing your spirit by the word and the help of the Holy Spirit.
Salvation is a process by which God exercises His plan for those who have received Jesus Christ as their Savior. At the time of conversion, no one knows or fully understands the way to salvation. All we have is the message of Grace that touched us. It is at this point that God will use those who are spiritually mature to instruct, guide, correct, and exhort us when needed. All we need is to be true and sincere in our hearts when we make the decision to accept Christ. You will receive forgiveness.
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