I was born in 1924 in Quebec, Canada. My parents instilled in me a fear of God from my childhood, and I longed to serve God to the best of my ability and to dedicate myself completely to Him. I wanted to please him, as the apostle Paul wrote : “For God is so merciful, I beseech you, brethren: offer your bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God; it is your meaningful worship ”(Rom 12: 1). This longing to be pleasing to God led me to become a Roman Catholic priest.
As a missionary in Bolivia
After several years of study, I was ordained a priest in Rome. A year later, I was sent as a missionary to Bolivia and Chile, where I served as a missionary in the Congregation for the Immaculate Conception for more than thirteen years. I loved this life very much and tried my best to fulfill my duties. I enjoyed the friendship of all my colleagues, and although they scoffed at my joy at studying the Bible, they showed me recognition by asking about the results of my studies.
When they nicknamed me “Biblical Joe,” I knew they envied me despite the sarcastic undertone. Members of my community appreciated my ministry at the word of God so much that they organized house Bible classes. With this, I was forced to devote myself to a serious study of the Bible, on the one hand because of the improvised house group, on the other because of the Sunday sermons.
Serious study of the Bible
Studying the Bible was a hobby for me until then, but now it has consciously become my duty. On the one hand, it struck me how the Bible teaches certain truths in an easy way, and on the other, I learned that it does not speak of the many dogmas I came to know while studying. Through my study of the Bible, it became clear to me that I did not know her at all. So I suggested to my superior that I use my annual leave to study the Bible.
Meanwhile, the Jesuits from Antofagasta, Chile, invited me to study the Bible at their high school of pedagogy. I don’t know how they knew about my interest in the Bible. Despite insufficient readiness, I accepted their invitation, realizing that this new assignment would require me to study God’s word even more seriously.
The gospel over the radio
I spent many hours, days, and nights preparing lessons, homework, and sermons. To stay in good shape while reading and studying, I listened to music. The small transistor radio provided me with wonderful backing music and saved me the hassle of changing turntables.
One day I noticed religious songs and hymns penetrating my ears. While reading the Bible and commentaries, I kept hearing the word "Jesus" on the radio. Then someone read a passage from the Bible. In particular, the last line caught my attention: " He who knew no sin, for our sakes, has made us a sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him " (2 Cor 5:21). Finally there is someone
preached on the subject. At first, it took me a while to change stations because it bothered me a lot while learning if someone was talking. In addition, I said to myself, “What am I supposed to learn from this sermon? With all my diplomas! I could also say something to this man! ”
After a short hesitation, I decided to listen to what the speaker had to say anyway. And really, I learned one of the most beautiful things about the person of Jesus Christ. I became ashamed when I realized that I myself would never know how to preach as well as this unknown speaker. It seemed to me as if Jesus himself was speaking to me and was now standing before me. And how little I knew him, this Jesus, who was the subject of my thoughts and studies. I felt that he was very far away from me. Now, for the first time, I perceived it that way. He seemed like a stranger to me. And there seemed to be a big void in me.
The beautiful buildings full of thoughtful principles and well-illustrated theological dogmas established for nothing have neither touched my soul nor changed my nature. I felt a huge emptiness inside me. And even though I continued to study the Bible, continued to pray and meditate, this void was getting bigger every day.
I hear about salvation by grace
I still listened to this show and included this program as often as possible. I learned that the radio station is based in Quito, Ecuador and is known as HCJB. I have also heard that this radio station is dedicated exclusively to preaching the gospel throughout the world. Sometimes I was very touched by what I listened to. On such occasions, I immediately wrote to their address, thanked them for what they had heard, and asked them for an informative read.
Of all the things I heard, I was most touched by the perseverance with which these people spoke of salvation by grace, emphasizing that all honor for the salvation of man belongs not to the saved but to the Lord Jesus Christ, the only Savior, and that man has no what to praise because all his works are just dirty clothes; that eternal life can only be accepted into the heart as a free gift and is not a well-deserved reward, but an undeserved gift that God gives to anyone who repents of his sins and accepts Jesus Christ into his heart and life. For me, all of this was new and contrary to the theology I had learned: that we deserve heaven and eternal life on the basis of our merits, fidelity, charity, and sacrifice. And that’s exactly what I’ve been trying all these years! But what was the result of all my efforts?
As I pondered this question, I said to myself, “I have made no progress. If I commit a mortal sin and die in such a state, I will go to hell. They taught me to get salvation by good works and sacrifice.
But the salvation the Bible speaks of is a free gift of God. My theology doesn’t give me the certainty of salvation, and the Bible certainly does. I'm confused. It would be best if I didn't listen to this gospel program at all. "
My inner struggle intensified. I suffered in body and heart. I had headaches, I couldn’t sleep, I was afraid of hell. I had no joy in performing Mass or confessing. My own soul needed more urgent forgiveness and consolation than all the souls I had to deal with! I avoided contact with others.
But in the loneliness of my suffering heart, God continued to speak. So many questions arose in my spirit; so many thoughts touched my heart. Then the saving word of God came to me as a balm for my feverish feelings: " For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life ." John 3:16) " For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus " (Romans 3: 23-24).
“The wages of sin is death; But the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord ” (Rom 6:23).
Many other Bible verses that I now know came to my mind, as I had heard them often on the HCJB transmitter.
Holy Mother Church
I decided to talk to my superior, who was a very wise man and a real father to many. He already noticed my point of view. I have changed, he said, something is wrong. And he listened to me. At the end of my confession, I told him, “I want to not only read and study the Bible, but also try to regulate my life according to it and live as it is written, free from everything that people want to impose on me.
His response was hesitant because he didn’t want to hurt me. He advised me to continue reading the Bible, but he also reminded me of my duty to remain faithful to the teaching of the Holy Mother of the Church and to submit to it even in things I do not understand. I listened to my superior with all due respect, but in my heart I lost faith in the church a long time ago because she does not have a clear doctrine of the certainty of salvation at all. Even my superior did not know if he was saved.
The light came into my heart the moment I least expected it. It was my turn for Sunday’s sermon. For this, I chose the theme of “religious hypocrisy” and a text from the Gospel of Matthew: “ Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many of them will say to me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name, and cast out devils in your name, and done many mighty works in your name ?' Get away from me, who are acting dishonestly! ‹(Mt 7, 21-23)
The Holy Spirit works
I knew my community members. I wanted to draw their attention to the fact that some of them are bragging about their good deeds, without noticing that they are only covering up the corruption of their hearts.
As I directed my message to the community, I noticed that the word of God came back to me like a table tennis ball flying back into a player’s face. It is strange how the human spirit builds a perfect mental framework in a few seconds, for which a person would need hours if he wanted to write. This is exactly what I experienced in the middle of this sermon: someone else was speaking in my heart and giving me a sermon that matched my personal needs.
I thought I was better than my listeners, as I am, however, a monk and a priest. However, I now sensed that the same condemnation applied to me: "I never knew you, away from me!". I heard my own arguments against the impending danger and the curse: “How is it possible, my God, that you do not know me? Am I not a priest? Am I not spiritual? Look at all the sacrifices I have made for you: years of study, separation from my parents and homeland, my vows of poverty, obedience, and singleness. All my possessions, my will, my whole body is dedicated to you to serve you better! And you want to tell me you don't even know me? Think of all my suffering that I experienced as a missionary: I never ate to my heart's content, I cried with the weeping, I baptized hundreds of children, listened to various confessions, comforted so many sad, desperate souls,
But despite all the arguments I made to God, a curse echoed in my ears: "I never knew you…". I was at the end of my arguments, at the end of power. I was close to breaking up and was afraid that I would break down in tears in front of the crowd that felt the storm. At the end of the sermon, I could not continue.
The realization that I had built my whole life on false values and was rightly under God’s just condemnation was more than I was able to bear. In my office, I cursed, knelt, and waited until I was wrapped in complete silence. There was nothing else I could do. I found myself in a state of complete exhaustion, lethargy, and despair. It was a moment for God to give me grace.
After confession - answer
God opened my eyes and I realized the significance of the death of Jesus Christ. I also understood the reason why God should discard my life so far. I tried to save myself with my works. But God wanted to save me by His grace. My sins and the judgment that followed were already borne by someone else: Jesus Christ. That was the meaning of the cross. Christ died for the sins of others, for he himself never sinned. So for whose sins did he die? Maybe for mine? Yes, for mine too!
The words of Jesus came to my mind: “ Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. »(Mt 11:28). I realized that I had to go to Jesus if I wanted to receive salvation and peace to my soul. Just - where was he so I could go to him?
I remembered another line I heard: “ Look, I’m standing in front of the door and knocking. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come to him and dine with him, and he with me ”(Rev 3:20). Now I knew where Jesus was. Much closer than I could have imagined! I immediately allowed him to enter. Without having to ask anyone for permission, I surrendered to his dominion. At the same moment, I knew I was free from the punishment that had threatened me for so long. I was saved, I was forgiven, and I had eternal life. God started working in me. I now understood the words I had heard so many times, and from now on they became a reality in my life: “ He who knew no sin made sin for our sakes, that we might become the righteousness of God in him. «(2 Cor 5:21).
My struggle - how to continue
What happened then? First, I continued my work as a priest to the best of my ability. However, in this job, I felt more and more strange. I have noticed: is the grace that saved me and made me a child of God contrary to the “works” that were expected of me as a priest? On the one hand, I was happy because I had the certainty of salvation, and on the other hand, I was suffocating in a system that required me to do good works in order to be saved.
As I was now aware of my salvation, all work became increasingly irrelevant. The only thing that interested me was Jesus Christ, who he was and what he did. Therefore, I neglected the topics prepared by the parish liturgical commission and dedicated my ministry of preaching to the person and work of my beloved Savior. I photographed him to my amazed community and despite the uncertainty, they were building up. Since I could no longer preach things that were contrary to God’s word, I asked to be relieved of my ministry as a priest in the parish. My superiors made my decision, even though they didn’t understand why I would want to leave. They treated me very well and served me in many ways. Either way you look at it, I wasn’t missing anything. Also when it comes to food, clothes, housing and the like. But now I realized what the church could not give me: the certainty of salvation. Christ was my savior, I no longer had to earn salvation. Another did it for me.
Christians visit me
In 1965 I returned to Quebec for a longer vacation. Shortly afterwards, I was visited by evangelical Christians who learned of my name from HCJB associates. Although I found the time spent socializing constructive, I didn’t fully open up to them. I didn’t want to fall back into some religious system after some system of oppression, in which I was born, grew up in, and lived for it for almost forty years. Nevertheless, I prayed to the Lord to show me the brothers and sisters to join so that I would no longer be so lonely.
Based on the accounts of the Acts of the Apostles, I knew of the experiences of the early Christians: " They were steadfast in the doctrine of the apostles and in the fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers " (Acts 2:42). Was it possible for Christians to still gather today to remember the Lord and await His return?
The God who took care of the salvation of my soul will continue to take care of me and show me where His children are.
New task
My superiors in Montreal invited me to replace some professor of theology at Rouyn High School. The topic he was supposed to teach was: The Church. They gave me access to all the possible books needed to prepare the lectures.
I began my preparations primarily by using the Bible. I explained to my students, based on biblical statements, what the church is. I have to admit that I myself had trouble understanding what I was teaching others. Everything was contrary to the hierarchical order of the church I was still in.
Studying this topic filled me with great joy. To spice things up somehow, I played on a tape recorder interviews I had recorded in various public places in the city.
One day I found out from a newspaper that a show called "Church" was supposed to be broadcast on television. I recorded the footage on video to use it on my watches. I have discovered that the whole theme is conceived from a biblical point of view. I was so impressed with the consistency of this unknown preacher's statements with my lessons that I wrote him a letter of thanks and invited him over. He came and I judged him to be an evangelical Christian who knows the Lord Jesus Christ well. After a few visits, he invited me to his home to spend Sunday with him and his family. During this visit, I had the opportunity to attend a meeting of the community to which he belonged.
God answers the prayer
At this meeting I learned what is written in 1 Corinthians 11 and noticed that God answered my prayer and brought me to my brothers and sisters and that Christians still gather as a local community in memory of the Lord and await his coming: “ For how often do you eat this bread and drink the cup, proclaim the Lord's death until he comes? «(1 Cor 11:26).
Shortly afterwards, I wrote to my superiors in Montreal and informed them that I had found my religious family. I asked them to release all the vows I had made to the Roman Catholic Church because I no longer see myself as a member of them. My life now belonged to the Lord and my future was under His guidance.
New life in the Lord
In this way, the Lord freed me not only from my sins and eternal condemnation, but also from every human system that imposes burdens and oppresses. “ Now therefore there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made thee free from the law of sin and death ” (Rom 8: 1-2).
Joseph Tremblay lived in Canada. He spoke fluent French, Spanish and English and evangelized in various countries. In 1995, he traveled to Ireland to preach the gospel, give his testimony, and explain the difference between the biblical faith and the Roman Catholic Church. In the spring of 2006, the Lord called him to his heavenly homeland.
[Source: https://bereanbeacon.org/sl/duhovnik-vendar-tujec-za-boga/]
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