When some Christians share their testimony, when they go to explaining their personal story if ya will of how they came into a right relationship with God through faith in Christ.. they kinda seem to be relishing their old sins ..that were indeed fun for awhile I'm sure.. and relishing their old worldly exploits that you know other worldly people (hearers) would of course applaud cuz the flesh loves this, and sins that actually did some damage to some lives that Jesus died to save. Surely you've heard stories like this told? Sometimes with over the years.. these embellished stories can change even and get more embellished - don't do it. It's pretty weird to hear em, especially when it really doesn't have to be that way, believer. Let's be real.
Why keep using the same four tools only?: Boycott and protest.. or register and vote (and you know all really should learn and go vote smart). But here are two better tools for believers to use in love: Pray and preach.. yes, tell it tactfully, factually and in a non-pushy-or-preachy-religious-kinda-way.
"And he (Jesus) did not permit him but said to him, 'Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.'" Mark 5:19
"And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death." Revelation 12:11
Tell em how it was before you met Jesus Christ, what you did (you don't have to get so graphic), tell em how you thought and why, tell how you felt, where you went, what you heard, who taught you ..and what they taught, how you processed all that, tell what you said in response, who your buddies were, what they were like, and what the results of your decisions were. Where you influenced by your close buds - sure you were, but explain how that happened. Tell people cuz you've been praying for them and God by His Spirit is sayin' "Go for it now." And also tell them ..because you love them, really care about their future and sincerely want the best for their entire family.. tell what you are like now. Be genuine, let it have a ring of authenticity because it really is spot on target, yup, is completely on the mark. Explain it thoroughly.. I mean the peace in you, the JOY, the agape love you experience, the complete supernatural satisfaction with your vertical love relationship ..even though there is opposition, testings, and trials at times. Sure, be wisely-frank with em; tell it all if they have the time. Give em an easy out if they need to get to their job. But why spend more time on the past than on your life in fellowship with Jesus now cuz you really don't want them going there - to your past moldy and lonely life away from God do you?
If someone pushes and pressures you towards a weakness, then trust the Lord to turn that perceived weakness into a real strength and glorify Him. Keep tellin' your story as it really is. See Romans 12:21
"Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself." 1 John 5:10a
Hey there Buckeroo, don't be known for who you were in this world; you know.. for worldly stories that you twisted n tweaked-out, inaccurately embellished, pretty much glorified, and bragged about. No, don't self-promote or seek to be known, but if you are at all ..then be known for who you sincerely are in Christ. Perhaps you were a pretty good kid years ago and not really a gangsta or criminal. Then go tell your story like it really was and is ..even if you don't feel like it's all that thrilling to hear.
You recall in the book of Acts hearing the Apostle Paul boldy and enthusiastically telling his own story to commoners and even to rulers who were thinking about killing him. The Lord stood with Paul to strengthen him, and you remember how he became all things to all people in a sense.. in order to earn the right to be heard by them. It was in order to win their hearts over to Jesus. He wasn't merely after "scalps" or numbers per se, but said...
"Even though I am free of the demands and expectations of everyone, I have voluntarily become a servant to any and all in order to reach a wide range of people: religious, nonreligious, meticulous moralists, loose-living immoralists, the defeated, the demoralized—whoever. I didn't take on their way of life. I kept my bearings in Christ—but I entered their world and tried to experience things from their point of view. I've become just about every sort of servant there is in my attempts to lead those I meet into a God-saved life. I did all this because of the Message. I didn't just want to talk about it; I wanted to be in on it!" 1 Cor. 9:19-23 msg
von giphy.com
"But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, He will bear witness about Me." ~ Jesus, John 15:26
"And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me (Jesus) from the beginning." John 15:27
"And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in His Son." 1 John 5:11
"Give heed to Him and hearken to His voice, do not rebel against Him.." Exod. 23:21a
"For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one." 1 John 5:7 nkjv
Just be listenin' to and open to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Take heart and give heed to Him. Why? Here's why: He's so "for you" and more for you sharing Christ, God's Word, the Gospel message and your story right.. than even you are, believer. Sure, He's more for people finding lasting spiritual satisfaction in Christ than any human here on earth is. So obey Him. Seek to know God well, and to make Him well known. facebook.com/shareJesus
