Our Testimony Jn 21: 24 CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO
As Christians, we have a testimony. A testimony is a solemn declaration (like that of a witness), the firsthand authentication of a fact (like evidence), an open acknowledgment, or a public profession (like your testimony). The word testimony also refers to the stone tablets inscribed with the Mosaic Law (the ark of the testimony).
When Jesus was in the earth, his testimony was true. He testified of the Father and he testified of eternal life. He is God manifest in the flesh and only by believing on him can anyone have everlasting life [Jn 3:31-36]. Therefore, if you have received Jesus Christ as your Savior, you also have a testimony.
When we use the word testimony today, we usually mean your public profession of what you were before you were saved, how you got saved, and what Jesus has done for you since you have been saved. Your testimony can be something you say or something you do. Because your walk talks, your testimony is what others see of the work of Jesus in your life. In Matt 8:4, for instance, the leper didn’t have to say anything to anybody about his cleansing. The offering of the gift that Moses commanded testified of his cleansing.
Our testimony can also be against people who are against the Lord. In Matt 10:18-20 Jesus told his disciples that they would be brought before governors and kings for a testimony against them. Their testimony will be a witness against the kings and governors for what they will have done to Jesus’ disciples [see Rev 6:9; 12:11, 17]. In Mk 6:11, the disciples shaking the dust off their shoes testified against the wickedness of those who rejected Jesus.
As Christians we should have:
A true testimony – Jn 21:24 – John’s testimony of Jesus Christ is absolutely true. Likewise, our testimony of Jesus Christ must also be true. We must not twist the truth or embellish the truth in our attempt to preach Jesus. Furthermore, the testimony of our words should match the testimony of our actions. And we should preach Jesus more today than in the past.
A bold testimony – Acts 14:3 – in Iconium Paul and Barnabas spoke “boldly in the Lord” and “gave testimony to the word of his grace.” We should speak boldly of the Lord’s grace in our lives. We should give testimony unto the word of his grace [1 Cor 1:4-7]. He has done so much for us, he deserves the credit and the glory for what he was done.
An unashamed testimony – 2 Tim 1:8 – Paul told Timothy, “Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God.” If you take a stand for God, you can be sure that there is someone who is going to take a stand against you. Look at the paradox in Prov 19:6. Every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts. This verse is true unless the gift giver is God. He gave the world eternal life in his Son Jesus Christ [Jn 3:16] and the world hates him for it [Jn 15:18]. We should not be ashamed to stand with the Lord against this wicked world.
A pleasing testimony – Heb 11:5 – Enoch’s testimony before his translation was “that he pleased God.” Enoch is our type in the Old Testament if we are raptured before our death. He never died, and neither will we if we are alive when Jesus returns for us. As he had a testimony that he pleased God, so we should also have a testimony that we please God.
A forward-looking testimony – Rev 19:10 – the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. Things in the earth are going to get worse and worse. We know that. And we should testify of the prophecies concerning the times to come. Enoch did [Jude 14-15]. Likewise, we should testify of the prophecies concerning the rapture, the judgment seat of Christ, the marriage of the Lamb, the second coming of Jesus and new Jerusalem. When Jesus comes this world is going to be run a whole lot differently than it is now under the influence of the devil. I’m looking forward to the day when the Creator runs it like it was designed to be run. Then and only then will we have peace on earth.
Conclusion: whether you want it to be so or not, your life and what you say are a testimony. Make sure that they are a true, bold, unashamed, pleasing, forward-looking testimony of our Lord Jesus Christ. Through your words and the testimony of your actions, others may be encouraged to be saved and Christians may be encouraged to live for Jesus.