The Local Church

Satisfaction in Jesus

I received the Lord at the age of 13. The calling to follow the Lord Jesus in an evangelistic campaign attracted me. I worshipped the Lord in an evangelical denomination where I learned that I had to follow the Lord by singing, praying, and reading the Bible. However, within I felt empty, and shortly after I went back to my old habits.

I tried another denomination where I was baptized without understanding what I was doing. There, I learned routine ways and methods to be accepted by the Lord. Those methods made me feel empty and confused about things, and there was no attractiveness of Christ. My mother invited me to her denomination where I learned that we serve God because of gratefulness. I was grateful to the Lord but this gratefulness was not enough to establish an enduring and solid relationship with Him. Again, I experienced emptiness and bitterness because I did not find the joy and satisfaction that I was looking for. I prayed and I did everything people advised me but I did not accomplish anything; everything seemed to be superficial, pretentious, and mechanical.

Later on, some friends invited me to their denomination. Eventually, this denomination became a group that began to condemn and regulate the way of dressing, hairstyle, and personal neatness. The uglier women were, the more spiritual they were considered. I aspired to be a spiritual person, so I did not take care of my outward appearance to “please God.” The demands of this denomination made me confused and bitter because I thought that it was very difficult to be accepted by God.

Through some relatives I visited the local church in Washington, D. C., where I learned that we cannot add anything to Christ's sacrifice on the cross. I realized that Christ is not in the heavens judging and rejecting us but He has the heavenly ministry of interceding for us before the Father (Romans 8:34). I learned that Christ, as the last Adam became the life-giving Spirit to impart His divine life into us (1 Corinthians 15:45). I learned that Christ not only saved us, but He also regenerates (1 Peter 1:3), renews (Romans 12:2; Colossians 3:10; Ephesians 4:23), transforms (Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 3:18), conforms (Romans 8:29), and glorifies us (Romans 8:30). I learned that we can touch God by turning to our spirit, by calling upon the name of the Lord Jesus. I drank “many kinds of water” (John 4:13-14) and I tried many doctrines from different denominations that made me despise other religious doctrines. I could not find satisfaction in them. I thank God for the ministry of Watchman Nee and Witness Lee who diligently engaged to expound the basic, deep, and rich truths of the Bible. Through these truths I can experience a total satisfaction in my spirit, my soul, and my body. In this way I can express of the Lord Jesus. Now people tell me: “What a change there is in your life!” What a shining face you have! What a peace you have!” Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! I could still be confused and empty, but now I am filled with the divine life imparted by the Lord in my spirit. Such a life is spread into my soul and body. In the local church I fell in love with Christ and now I have an intimate, affectionate, and personal relationship with Him. This relationship is a mutual satisfaction and enjoyment.

Rhode E. Echeverría de Fernández | Back to List

Home Beliefs Revealed History Testimonies Recognition Contact Us Links