Agawan, Massachusetts

Dear Richard and Diane,


I was so moved by your Field Report publication, “Religious Sinners or Converted Saints?” that I kept reading it over and over again.  You see, years ago, I too had a godly sorrowful repentance.

For days I wept, realizing that I was a sinner who had verbally abused everyone in my life (the tongue is evil and unrighteous, James 3:5-10).  I did not fully understand what had happened to me, but Christ knew.  My whole life began to change.  I became more understanding, patient and kind-hearted.  With God’s indwelling Spirit, I could no longer abuse with my tongue.  He lovingly had entered my heart and mind, gently ushering me into this New Creation.  He also led me out of religious organizations and into the Bible, which declares: “no need any man teach you”  1Jn 2:27.  I now have His Spirit within to guide me.

Of all the thousands of newsletters, articles and books I have read, your article is the first to touch my heart with the truth about being truly born-again (converted).  I felt no one had experienced what I did and therefore something must be wrong with me.  The result was that, as a forgiven sinner, I could no longer condemn, judge or accuse others of wrong-doing.  I discovered that we must attend to our own sin, rather than point to the shortcomings of others.

I thank you for showing me there are others who understand what “godly sorrow unto repentance” is and must be.  Many are called but few are chosen.  May God, in the end, deem me worthy.

A soldier in Christ,

RL16-05