My Story
By the Rev. Lou Tiscione, Pastor, Weatherford Presbyterian Church (PCA)
I am called to preach the gospel. It is necessary for me to confess my life in Christ, how it came to be. My life in Christ started on January 29, 1986. On that day God snatched me from the pit of hell. I was blind and ignorant. I didn’t know that I was headed to hell. I was unable to see the truth of my condition. God chose to break into my life on that day. He caused me to see the beauty of Christ. I ran to the cross, embracing Him.
That day started normally. I was on my way to my office at the Nuclear Power Plant in Crystal River Florida. As I turned onto U.S. 19, I was broadsided by a semi-truck. It occurred about 7:30 AM. I was later told that the paramedics had to cut me out of my car. I was unconscious. I awoke four days later in a hospital in Gainesville, FL with one desire and many broken bones. My one desire was for Jesus, the Jesus of the Bible. The God of truth and grace opened my eyes to the world and to His beauty. My only thought was to run to Him. There was no struggling on my part in deciding whether to choose Jesus. I didn’t have an experience of being dragged into the kingdom. The thought of running from Jesus never entered my mind. His love for me overwhelmed me!
Not long after the accident, Jesus’ words in John’s gospel burned into my mind and traveled to my heart. The word of God shed light upon what I had experienced. “UNLESS one is born again he CANNOT see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3 Emphasis mine).
Before that day, I had no desire for Jesus. I considered myself a good person. I believed that if I was better than most, the god of my making would welcome me. I never thought about the justice of God. I never considered myself as a child of God’s wrath (Ephesians 2:3). God is just; He is holy. He extends mercy by His grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
Before my “accident,” I didn’t know God. I was spiritually dead. I was ignorant of the necessity of being “born again.” My former life testified that dead men can’t do anything to please God. I was left unconscious in my accident. I couldn’t have saved myself. I couldn’t even get out of my hospital bed. Previously, on my best day, I didn’t know that I was lost and headed to hell. God had to act and He did. I responded to Him. I responded to His sovereign choice. I often hear that if one believes he will be born again. How foolish! Worse, it is the height of manipulation to tell people that we are made new creations by our own wisdom and ability. How can a dead person believe? The truth is “Ye must be born again” in order to believe! The Bible says: “… while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Every person is born spiritually dead. We are unable to reach out to God and live (Genesis 3:22-24). God had to act to save me and He did!
As I look back on God’s saving grace, I see every detail of life as part of God’s sovereign plan. Even when I didn’t know God, He was directing my path in accordance with His will. I thought that I was making choices. And I was, but my choices had already been planned by the Sovereign God. Think about this when you are wondering how you got to where you are: “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps” (Proverbs 16:9). The words of Jesus in John 6:44 make perfect sense as I look at my life in Christ. “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him.”
Permit me to offer my life principle that brings comfort and assurance: I have been saved by God from God for God.
The God who saved me also spoke and continues to speak in His word. His word is without error and absolutely reliable because He is. As a result, all experiences are informed by Scripture.
No one’s testimony will save another. Only God saves through His gospel. I offer my story in praise to God. To God alone be glory! S.D.G.
