All Christians have one, but few share it anywhere near enough nor consider its effectiveness for inspiring faith in others. That is our personal testimony of Christ coming into our life and changing it in a radical way. It is a story of how the Holy Spirit restored our relationship with God by the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ alone and not through our own effort or moral goodness. John Newton was so astounded by his testimony of God’s grace that he wrote a song to tell the world, “Amazing Grace”.
It is true. Few things are as effective as personal testimonies for inspiring faith and guiding people towards Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit. The scriptures testify to this fact. When the woman by the well, in John 4, came face to face with Jesus she couldn’t but declare to the town, “’Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?’ They went out of the town and were coming to him” (4:29-30). What was the result? “Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony” (4:39).
The demon possessed mad man in Luke 8 also had a testimony of God’s grace. After Jesus healed him of his demon possession Jesus denied his request to follow Him. Instead, the Lord commanded, “Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you” (8:39). Luke records his joyful obedience, “And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him” (8:39).
Again, John records that one day Jesus showed amazing grace and healed a man who was blind from birth. When questioned by the Pharisees on the nature of who it was that healed him, he declared, “Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see” (John 9:25). This man knew very little about Jesus except he was transformed forever by a man who had unlimited power and amazing grace. You can’t argue with that!
Every person who has been born again by the Holy Spirit through repentance and faith in Christ has a unique and personal testimony. It cannot be argued against. To share it is not pushy nor fake. Rather, it is very real and very powerful to stir spiritual interest and point people to Christ.
I was incredibly blessed to speak at Saving Grace Bible Church camp over the weekend and spend time with this dear church family. Having shared my personal testimony of salvation Friday night, people were eager to share theirs with me privately. Each one was a powerful story of God’s grace. “Éva” told me, at the age of 18 she fled Hungary with her boyfriend to escape him being called up for military service by the communist party. After staying in 18 locations, they finally made their way to Australia. There “Éva”, lonely, afraid and unsure of the future, found herself one day in a bookshop, drawn to a book by the picture on the front cover. It was of an old farm harvester, like she used to use back home. It was a book about Jesus and how to know Him. Through that simple act God saved her, bringing her peace and comfort. Though life would not get easier she was able to joyfully bear it through the assurance of His presence.
Dan and Mark excitedly shared the story of how Mark, a former Apostolic Christian and ruthless business owner, employed Dan. Dan ended up introducing Mark to Ralph, one of the elders at his church, and for over a year these two men shared the gospel with Mark until, with tears in his eyes Mark told me, “I could not keep fighting against the truth and power of the gospel. After I stopped fighting and gave control to Jesus my life totally changed.” He sold his business, stopped his lavish lifestyle and started serving the church. He now lives with peace and joy he hadn’t previously known.
Don’t underestimate your testimony. Whether God saved you in a Christian family or as an atheist running from God, it is a miracle of Him changing your hard heart of stone and giving you a heart that loves Him and longs to grow in Him. It is a story of God graciously working all the circumstances of your life, the good, bad and ugly, to draw you to Himself. It is a miracle that is personal and only you can share. Consider it anew. Think through the details and get it clear in your mind that you might be ready and eager to share how God in Christ reconciled you to Him. Go, tell people all that Jesus has done for you and that this same Jesus, through the power of the gospel message, of His life, death, burial and resurrection, can do the same for them if they might only repent and believe. What a joy it is to tell of His amazing grace!
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