Did you ever realize that every Christian has a wonderful testimony to share? The day you gave your heart to the Lord, and the events leading up to your conversion to Christ, constitute your personal testimony. Every one has a different testimony, yet all have two very important things in common. The first common element is that all of us must realize we are sinners and repent of our sin. The second common element is that we make a commitment to invite Jesus into our heart to become our Lord and Savior. And without question the day we make this decision becomes the most important day in our lives.
From that day forward we spend the rest of our lives getting to know Jesus better, learning to walk in holiness, and sharing our testimony with people as the Lord opens up opportunities. And it is this area of sharing our testimony and the Gospel that is so important because it’s all about God, not about you.
A good personal testimony should tell others how good God is, how He changed your life, what the message of salvation is, and how your life has changed since you accepted Jesus into your heart. Notice it’s all about what Jesus did in our lives.
Another element of our testimony concerns our need to live it out and be the best ambassadors for Christ we can be. You see now that we are Christians we represent Jesus to the world and sometimes we are the only Bible that people are going to read. Living a holy life, manifesting peace and joy, even during the trials of life, and presenting a clear Gospel message when the opportunity arises, should all become our new way of living. As such, we need to guard our testimony very carefully. While people will see that we are not perfect, they will respect us if we manifest integrity to all those around us.
One of the greatest privileges in our Christian walk is to share how God has saved us and given us a new life in Christ. We need to not only know what God has done for us but be able to articulate the Gospel message, in clear terms, so others can know what they must do to becomes saved. Remember our testimony is not about us but about what God has done in our lives.
As ambassadors for Christ, we represent the sovereign Lord of the universe and have in our possession the greatest news that man can ever hear. We need to faithfully live out our lives and shine for Christ so that others may become attracted to the message of the Gospel. I pray that as you journey through life you will let Jesus be the captain of your soul and look for opportunities to share the life transforming message of the Gospel with as many people as possible. The good news of the Gospel was never meant to be private but shared with a world that desperately needs salvation.
When we got saved Jesus could have taken us to be with Him right away, but He didn’t. He left us here on earth to be His representatives to share the message of the Gospel with a hurting world. This is a heavy responsibility but one that brings with it great joy and purpose. So, let’s get busy leading a holy life and sharing what Jesus has done for us with others!
“A good personal testimony should tell others how good God is, how He changed your life, what the message of salvation is, and how your life has changed since you accepted Jesus into your heart.”
It’s the “message of salvation” part that needs a little expansion beyond this devotion. Our testimony can be compelling, powerful, and inviting but we must not leave out the core value, our relationship to the Law of God.
These verses are only a sampling of the Law’s definition of sin, its convicting power, and our accountability to God, as our conscience bears witness that the Law is written on our hearts. As one Puritan said, “It’s the sharp needle of the Law that makes way for the crimson thread of the Gospel.”
Rom. 7:7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law:
Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. I John 3:4
Has not Moses given you the law? Yet none of you keeps the law. John 7:19
If you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. James 2:9
The work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them. Rom. 2:15
Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. Rom. 3:19-20
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. I John 5:3
By this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him. I John 2:4
If the unbeliever never realizes his sin, he will not repent. It’s God’s Law word and not our testimony that never returns void. Our witness should include the joy of our salvation story but don’t rely on that testimony to bring the sinner to repentance and faith. These are gifts of God.
I always encourage Christians to share the Gospel and their testimony. Many are surprised to see how many people relate to the challenges and circumstances that we’ve had to overcome, see Christ as the way, and get inspired with hope.
Guard your testimony. Use it for God’s glory and point everyone to the Word of God.
Our pastor at Twin Lakes Church, Aptos shared with several thousand, the miracle of God healing my eye.
I’m so glad.
Elaine