“Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:19)
The most powerful testimony of all — is a life that can’t be explained without God! People may dispute your theology, but your testimony, that’s something else! Six different times Paul stood before hostile audiences, and each time he gave his personal testimony. No arguing, no debating — just his story. Dr. David Yonggi Cho built the world’s largest church in South Korea (one million members). He was won to Christ by a lady he met only once. She shared her testimony, moved on, and Cho, a former Buddhist, never found her again.
Your testimony is an awesome thing, especially when it’s backed by a consistent lifestyle. People who won’t listen to others will listen to you, relate to you, and respond to you if you’ll share your story. And when you do, keep in mind four things:
- Be interesting. Give them the short version and avoid clichés. Jesus is exciting; He came to bring “[life] more abundantly” (John 10:10).
- Be specific. Talk about:
- how it used to be;
- how you met Jesus;
- how it is now.
- Be honest. Don’t say, “All your problems will disappear when you become a Christian.” The Christian life is a battlefield, not a playing field. Let people know you still have struggles but something important has changed — you’re no longer alone: “Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4).
- Be warm. Don’t try to arm-wrestle them into the kingdom. Be gracious, sow the seed, and leave the harvest to God. Now, “Go … tell them how much the Lord has done for you.”
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for making a difference in my life. Help me share how much You have done for me! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Stay encouraged!
Pastor Mike
