Charlie Haddad
I Once Was Blind, But Now I See
My name is Haddad, and I was born in Sydney Australia on 26 July 1978. I have been attending Croydon Park Faith Baptist Church since I became a Christian, I Got saved on the 18-Dec- 2002
I was bought up in an orthodox family and I went to a catholic school. During my life I was introduced to many things - Sex, Drugs, Nightclubs and the nightlife. Despite all these things I still thought I was a Christian.
I guess my understanding of being a Christian was going to church on Sundays, praying, having a cross around my neck, and confessing my sins at least every 4 months to a priest. I thought that because I was in a life of sin, doing these things would make me feel better and that I was doing something right for a change.
| “...it shook me, when he said, "Charlie, if you die tonight, do you know where you are going?"” |
However they didn’t, because I was putting trust in created things rather then the creator himself. I guess thinking also that I was born a Christian I will die a Christian and a Christian went to Purgatory and then heaven. I now know after reading the word of God that my thoughts, actions and walk were all wrong.
I met a young lady, and at this point I started to clean up my life. I left the world for her, who had become my fiancé. When I meet her I settled down and she was my life. I still kept in touch with my friends and would meet up with them from time to time. One of those friends is Robert A youb whom I had grown up with in the same neighborhood.
One night I went to Robert’s place and he was talking to me about the Lord Jesus. He was telling me the way to live through the bible, how it changes people lives and the way it's changing his life. He said that life should be lived according to our creator and the most important of all, that there was a purpose for the Lord Jesus dying on the cross - was not for nothing. He told me that Christ’s death did not give us a ticket to sin, but it was to save us from sin, and that man needs to put their trust in the word of God, the bible.
I noticed something different about Robert; the way he was talking and the confidence he had when he was talking, it wasn’t only what he was saying. I had never heard Robert talk like this before,
I agreed with everything Robert was saying. There was one thing he said to me that shook me, he said, “Charlie, if you die tonight, do you know where you are going?” I paused and thought and started to mumble an answer, and realized that I honestly did not know. I had said before that I thought all Christians went to heaven, but after
having heard all that Robert had just told me and being asked that question, I really did not know.
That night I went home and I made a commitment totheLord.AsIsaton my bed I looked up in the heavens and said, “Lord I am a sinner and I have lived life without you, and I understand really now what you have done on the cross for me, and I don’t want to take advantage of your blood anymore. From this moment, from this minute, this second, I want to serve you, I want to do your will, but I need you to help me, I can’t do it without you.” As I was saying this from all my heart, I felt shakes all over my body and I started to cry. I started thanking the Lord with joy, thanking him for dying for me, thanking him for forgiving me. “...while [I] were yet a sinner, Christ died for [me].” (Romans 5:8) From that day my life has changed. With his power I don’t sin on purpose. I slip up once in a while, but it really hurts when I do. I have peace in my heart and peace with my neighbors. I have joy and hope through Christ my Lord, and I know by what he has done for me that if I die tonight I have eternal life and I will be with him in heaven. He promised me that gift if I trusted in him. I love him because he first loved me!
During my time as a follower of the Lord, I have lost many people close to me; friends, family, loved ones and my fiancé.
I have been laughed at, talked about, called Crazy, but I always remember that the Lord said, “..and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.” Matthew 24:9 “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
Throughout my Christian walk, I have learnt that it is He that is in me that’s keeps me strong and gives me the REAL love to love others and to do his will. Without him I am nothing.
| “I have been laughed at, talked about, called Crazy... but I’ve learnt that it is He that is in me that’s keeps me strong” |
My prayers are for all the nations to come to repentance,to experience the love of the Lord. I pray that I will not be selfish, but that I tell the world about the Lord’s love.
I thank the Lord Jesus for creating me, for loving me and most of all for dying for me.
If I have to give you some words of wisdom, " Don't Compromise, trust God in the Good and bad times, don't try to understand his ways, for his ways a higher then ours, just put all your faith in Jesus,
Thank you Jesus, I so Love you so much!
Source: eternity.org.au (used with permission)