Testimony of Salvation—Mary Cheong Swee Lin

Why is life filled with so much pain and suffering?  The Bible tells us that this is the consequence of sin-we have sinned against the most Holy God as the Bible says, “for all have sinned” (Rom 3:23).  As a result, we must all one day die: “for the wages of sin is death” (Rom 6:23).  This death includes also spiritual death in our hearts.  As a result, we feel that life is meaningless.  Sin breaks our relationship with God.  God refuses to bless us.  But we thank and praise God.  The Bible says that “yet to all who did receive Him [Jesus Christ], to those who believed in His Name, He gave them the right to become children of God” (John 1:12).  Such a person will receive eternal life and the sure hope of heaven.  Jesus will also give that person a full and meaningful life (John 10:10).  Please read below about how Mary came to know Jesus.

In the past, I did not have a religious faith.  Although my husband is a Christian, he did not attend church.  Our life was smooth sailing.  Perhaps it was because many of my friends were traditional Chinese ancestral and idol worshippers, I too went with along with them sometimes, hoping to find some form of a spiritual sustenance. 

Later on, when I went to work in 1990, I met a Christian colleague.  I started  to go church upon her invitation and got baptised on Easter in 1998.  Although I was baptised, I was not clear about the Christian faith.  Eventually in 2001, when the church I was attending moved to a farther place, I stopped attending church altogether.

In 2014, I joined a church camp that was organised by Tree of Life Christian Church.  I joined the camp out of courtesy after repeated invitations from my in-law Sister Sally.  During the camp, I experienced love amongst brethren-in-Christ and I felt very happy to be there.  Throughout the camp, I shared a room with Sister Sally, Sister Karen and Preacher Lizhu.  This gave me an opportunity to hear their many personal sharings.  I felt that what they said made sense to me.  After the camp, Sally and Karen encouraged me to attend church.  Thinking that I had not been attending church for a long time, I accepted their invitation to come to TOLCC.

Time flies and I have been with TOLCC for about a year.  Pastor Andrew realised that I was unclear about the truths of Christianity.  Thus, he taught me the Basic Bible Class.  Through the Basic Bible Class, I came to know that I am a sinner and accepted Jesus as my personal saviour.  I know that Jesus has removed all my sins, I do not need to face judgement for my sins anymore.  I am certain that I can go to heaven.  Now, with a better understanding of the truths in the Bible, I am willing to be baptised again, to profess publicly with confidence of my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.