Giving your Testimony

Have you ever given your testimony? You might ask, “What is my testimony?” Dictionary.com defined testimony as a “public declaration of faith.” This morning at my church it was Baptist Men’s Sunday. We are Southern Baptist and the men in my church have a group that they formed called Baptist Men. It is a mission’s type group that supports missions projects and missionaries monetarily and they meet once a quarter I believe for breakfast and devotional time. This morning however they were in charge of the whole service and the men, led in music, played the instruments, we had an all men’s choir, etc. Plus, three men gave their testimonies. Each man’s testimony I noticed was very different.

One man had been raised in what he called a dysfunctional family and by the grace of God was finally taken care of by his grandmother who took him to church and he was saved at the age of 16. He recalled his choice to take the wrong path during his teenage years where he basically did what he pleased without much adult supervision from his parents. He also told of his close calls with death having walked away from 2 near fatal car accidents and 1 major motorcyle accident that should have left him for dead, but has he said, God had other plans. He also, testified that now God has replaced all the bad things of his past with the good things he now enjoys in his adult, Christian life. A loving wife, 2 great boys, a loving extended family and church family who he knows he could call on at anytime.

The second man’s testimony was slightly different in that he had been in church his whole life and was a living testimony of someone who had always known and loved having a church home and church family. He now truly appreciates this as his wife has been very ill and he has realized that without the Lord and his Christian friends he could have never made it through all that they have.

The third and final testimony was of a man who had been saved at a young age but chose to take the wrong path in life for quite some time, marrying at 17 because he got his girlfriend pregnant and then living a life of alcoholism for many years, until he finally got his life back on track after his middle child brought his a Bible study type book which he read while on the road as a truck driver. Now, he and his family are all saved and in church faithfully.

What about you, how would you give your testimony? What would it include? I think it is important for us all to know and be willing to share our testimony of our Christian lives. It is easy to form your testimony. You include three main points.
1. Your Life Before Christ. – Were you deep in sin, or just a young child who knew something was missing in your life?
2. Your Salvation Experience. – How you came to know the Lord.
3. Your Life After Christ. How has it changed? What have you learned about God’s grace, love and mercy?

Finally, the most important thing is that you share your testimony with others. That is what it is for, to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ.