top of page

From Rules to Grace: Tony's Story




A Youth Full of Rules

As a teenager, I joined the youth group at my Grandma’s church. It was a vibrant community, with about 75 kids in the group and a traveling youth choir. I loved being involved and learned a lot about God. But there was a problem—I never felt good enough.

The church emphasized rules, and every week I found myself at the altar, repenting for every mistake I had made. I was certain that each time I messed up, I was on my way to Hell. I thought salvation was something I had to earn by being good and following the rules. But no matter how hard I tried, I kept failing.


The Cycle of Trying Harder

This exhausting cycle went on for years. On the outside, I appeared active and committed, but inside, I was wrestling with feelings of inadequacy. I started to feel like I was just going through the motions.

I loved being part of the church and the youth group, but deep down, I had resigned myself to the idea that I’d never be good enough.


A New Chapter in My Twenties

In my mid-twenties, my wife joined a singing group at the church. During one of their practices, the group started talking about Christian radio programs. I wasn’t into those programs at the time, but I wanted to fit in, so I decided to start listening.

One program stood out to me—Chuck Smith’s verse-by-verse teaching of the Bible. As I listened over the next month, I felt like I was understanding the Bible in a whole new way.


The Lesson That Changed Everything

One day, Chuck Smith was teaching about Jacob and Esau. He described Jacob as someone who constantly relied on his own efforts to get ahead. Jacob deceived his brother Esau to secure the birthright and later tricked his father to receive the blessing. Even when God was present in his life, Jacob’s first instinct was to manipulate and control situations himself.


I saw myself in Jacob. I had been doing the same thing spiritually—trying to secure salvation by my own strength. I thought I had to earn my way into God’s favor by being good enough, looking the part, and following the rules. But Jacob’s story revealed the flaw in that thinking.

When Jacob finally surrendered and wrestled with God, he realized he couldn’t achieve God’s blessings on his own. It wasn’t about striving; it was about trusting. That was the moment it clicked for me: salvation wasn’t about what I could do—it was about trusting in what Jesus had already done for me.


Grace Over Rules

That realization changed everything. For the first time, I truly understood grace. I didn’t have to be perfect because Jesus was perfect for me.

Looking back, I see that the legalism of my childhood church made it hard for me to grasp this truth. But I’m so thankful for the journey that brought me here. It taught me to let go of trying to earn my salvation and to trust fully in Jesus.


A Message for You

If you’ve ever felt like you weren’t good enough, let me encourage you with this: You don’t have to be. Jesus already is.


The Bible tells us that we are all sinners (Romans 3:23) and that our sin separates us from God. But God, in His love, provided the solution—Jesus Christ. Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross to take the punishment for our sins, and rose again, defeating death.

Salvation isn’t about being perfect or following all the rules; it’s about recognizing your need for a Savior and trusting in Jesus to save you. The Bible says, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9).


Here’s how you can accept Christ:

  1. Acknowledge your need for Him – Admit that you’re a sinner and cannot save yourself.

  2. Believe in Jesus – Trust that Jesus died for your sins and rose again to give you eternal life.

  3. Confess Him as Lord – Surrender your life to Him, trusting Him to guide you.


You don’t have to have all the answers or fix everything in your life before coming to Jesus. He invites you to come just as you are. When you trust in Him, He promises to forgive your sins, make you a new creation, and give you eternal life.

If you’re ready to take that step, pray something like this:


“Jesus, I know I’m a sinner and I’ve fallen short. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins and rising again to give me new life. I place my trust in You alone for my salvation. Please forgive me and be the Lord of my life. Help me to follow You from this day forward. Amen.”


 

About Me

My name is Tony Simpkins, and I’m the Strategic Operations & Growth Leader at New Faith Church. I’ve been walking with Jesus for over three decades, but my journey started with struggles, questions, and legalism that left me feeling unworthy. Through God’s grace, I’ve come to understand that salvation isn’t about what we do—it’s about trusting in what Jesus has already done. If you’d like to talk more about faith or share your own story, feel free to reach out. I’d love to connect!


Comments


connect with us @NEWFAITHCW


6700 Thrush Drive Canal Winchester, Ohio 43110 | info@newfaithcw.org | 614.837.6178
© 2024 NEW FAITH CHURCH

  • Youtube
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
bottom of page