HAVE YOU BEEN CONVERTED? WEEK 4, 2010

Chimdmma’s identity has been disguised, but the story is true. Are you like that?
She was well brought up; at least by people’s assessment. Chimdimma was in Sunday school even before she could talk, and her parents were practicing Christians. Her birth came as an answer to prayer hence the name she was given. “Our God is really good!” her mother said.
Every morning when the family would gather to pray together she was always there. She learned to pray before meals, to say the grace, and started learning memory verses when her schooling began. Her ability to recite scripture was so good she was selected on many occasions to do it in public by her teachers. Even in church she participated in Sunday School public presentations and her performances endeared her to uncles and aunties alike. An out-going girl, Chimdimma was well loved and accepted in her environment.
It was true she had been baptised and participated in prayers but Chimdimma had trouble controlling her appetites. She would pinch food items when no one was looking and found cakes and fried fish hard to resist. A number of times she was rebuked, sometimes she was flogged but even though she cried and promised not to do it anymore it did not stop. One day her mother sent her to the provision store to buy things, and when the attendant’s back was turned Chimdimma snatched some items and hid them. She later ate them secretly; no one noticed it. This practice went on several times without her being caught; but God and her conscience were offended.
“I have a confession to make Daddy…” a tearful Chimdimma said one morning. “I have been stealing from the provision store. I have done it ten times now! I had a dream last night Jesus had come back to take His people and I was not among them. I was told I would go to hell!”
Daddy was both happy and shocked. Taking her hands in his he asked “Have you told Jesus about it?” “Yes, I have asked Him to forgive me and I have committed my life to Him. I promise never to do so again!” Fresh tears came into her eyes as she spoke. Both of them went together that morning to the provision store were the sorrowful Chimdimma reported herself to the store keeper. Her crime had not been noticed, and they were not asked to pay for the items. Later Daddy asked “How do you feel now?” “Better!”
Then he said to the crowd that came forth to be baptized by him, O generation of vipers! Who has warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bring forth fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say within yourselves, we have Abraham for our father. For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones! And now also the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bring forth good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire Lk 3:7-9(MKJV).