“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (2Peter 2:9)
(2Peter 2:9)
Sharing our testimonies is a Christian duty and privilege. It is a shame that many Christians hesitate to share. Some due to stage fright, some are unduly worried; some relied on eloquence and ended up honouring men instead of glorifying God. Sharing testimonies for Christ is declaring His glory and the time spent is therefore Kairos. The heavenly gate is open, and the multitude of saints and angels, as well as God in heaven, listen attentively to what we say. Therefore we ought to cherish every opportunity to give our testimony with prudent meditation and careful preparation.
In Exodus chapter 18, Moses exalted the Lord’s when he told his father-in-law Jethro the mighty things that God did in delivering them from the hands of Pharaoh. After hearing Moses’ testimony, Jethro praised God and said, ‘Now I know that the Lord is greater than all other gods.’ Also in John chapter 4 when the Samaritan woman ran back into the town and excitedly told the people there about how Jesus knew about her dishonorable past, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” many went out of the town to look for Jesus.
Here we see two characteristics of a God-glorifying sharing:
Firstly, Jesus Christ is the only one to be exalted in our sharing. Every man ought to be concealed as this is a time when God alone is to be seen. Thanking men will take our eyes away from the throne of Christ.
Secondly, it is the Spirit of God that convicts people’s hearts. The people told the Samaritan woman that “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Saviour of the world” (John 4:42 ESV) If someone praises God after hearing your testimony, do not think highly of yourself. Rather, humbly thank God for using your testimony.
Let us bear these two points in mind as we prepare our sharing. A careful preparation always begins with prayer, and prayer should always begin with the confession of sins. Whenever we fix our eyes on the Golgotha cross, our lips will be filled with the power of the precious blood.
Next, ask the Lord Jesus to impress upon your heart what you ought to say. Spend time meditating on it, and penning down the essential points, and if necessary, some details also. Writing helps us to organize our thoughts and emotions, and make our sharing clearer. Do not crack a joke just to cover up your tenseness, and never say things like, “Actually I did not want to share but the pastor asks me to …” Such words will disrupt the work of the Holy Spirit. Sort out your emotion and whisper a silent prayer in your heart. Your soul will be firmly anchored in the Lord Jesus. He will give you the confidence to speak to His glory.
Let us echo with the Psalmist:
“Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me.”
(Psalm 66:16)
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