If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1: 9)

It was October 19, 1941, one week before my 16th birthday. The Sunday evening message was directed at the unsaved students of Emmanuel College and Academy. A Pentecostal preacher's son, I had never been converted.
A young man prayed in the Spirit moved down the aisle, reached across several students, and laid His hand on mine. The gently tug he gave me was clearly God's call. I followed him to the altar. I wept. I repented. I longed for the assurance of acceptance by God. But, still void of peace, I wondered why I didn't feel saved.

(My friend) Harry Barthoff sat down beside me. "Are you saved?" he asked.

"No, I don't feel like I'm saved." My answer reflected confusion concerning the basis of salvation. I did not know how to be saved. Harry was about to do me the greatest favor of my life. He turned to 1 John 1: 9 and asked me to read it. As I read, "If we confess our sins..." he stopped me. "What does it say you are to do?" he asked.

"It says I am to confess my sins."

"Have you done that?" he probed.

"Yes, as far as I know how," I replied.

"Read on," he said.

"...He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
"What does God say He will do? he asked. I read it again. Then Hary asked a simple question, "Do you think God will do what He promised?" In that moment it dawned upon me that my salvation was not based on my feelings, but on God's unfailing Word.

- B.E. Underwood
Presiding Bishop, IPHC.
Taken from Life in the Spirit devotional book.