William Raboteng says he has total freedom and deliverance

Cruelty from his father left William Raboteng feeling hopeless and trapped.

Born into a poor family and experiencing abuse from his father, William Raboteng saw life as being “completely hopeless and a very unsure future.”

Knowing that he was in trouble and feeling worthless, William decided to attend church.

At church, William began to see that he was a sinner, living in opposition against God, and he needed to be made right with God.

“I heard of the holiness and righteousness of God, and that made me desperate to be made right with Him. The spoken word of God impacted me and I knew instantly that it was time to start my new life.

“For the first time in my life I realised that I was a sinner worthy of God’s judgment. But at the same time I was gripped by the love of God and so thankful for his kindness to me.”

So, on July 10, 1996, despite family opposition, William gave his life to the Lord.

“For the first time I felt really alive,” he says.

William is glad that his life was in trouble, because, “if it wasn’t I would not have thought about God at all”.

“I have experienced the truth of Romans chapter 8, verse 30Romans chapter 8, verse 30, which says, ‘He [Jesus] chose them and He also called them. He called them to Himself as if they had never been bad people. He made them right with Himself and He made them great in heaven.’”

That’s not all Jesus has done for William. “He also made it possible for me to forgive my father who was so cruel to me; I used to hate my father, now I call my father my friend”.

Being able to forgive his father has led to William experiencing God’s blessings. “God protects me from sickness and answers my every need.”

William likes to summarise what God has done for him by referring to a special verse that he says represents his new life, “who the Son sets free is free indeed,” which is from John chapter 8, verse 36John chapter 8, verse 36.

Unlike his early life, William now believes there is hope for his future. “I have experienced total freedom and deliverance because of God’s grace alone,” he says.

“God has brought joy into my life, and now I have a hope for the future in Jesus.”