How does God’s grace manifest itself in the believer’s life? God’s grace is infused in us as we enter into a saving relationship with God through Jesus Christ and walk in step with His Spirit. Growing in God’s grace involves various aspects, and the role of our testimony can be a significant part of spiritual growth. Remember, spiritual growth is a lifelong journey, and the role of sharing our testimony is one facet that aligns your heart, obedience, and resources with God’s purpose and grace. I love this statement about God’s grace. “In the vast landscape of our brokenness, God’s grace is the radiant sunrise, transforming our darkest moments into a canvas of redemption and hope.” It’s no exaggeration to say that God’s transformative power is seen not just in our lives but also in the lives of others when we share our testimonies; it’s that powerful.
Revelation 12:11 establishes the importance of our testimony. “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.” This verse is found in a section of Revelation that describes God’s protection of His church. How does the church find victory over the enemy? Satan is overcome because Christ has died and been resurrected for our salvation, and because of the testimony of Christ’s church (believers) to their faith in Him, others are drawn to the Lord and receive Him. Historically, Christians have been willing to maintain their testimony even to physical death – martyrdom (Hebrews 12:2-4). To grow in the grace of testimony, we must first recognize its power.
God calls us to share our testimony. Consider Psalm 107:2, “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble.” This verse encourages those who have experienced God’s redemption to openly acknowledge and proclaim gratitude for being saved from adversity or challenges. When believers share their testimonies, it’s a powerful way for them to reflect on personal experiences, foster gratitude, and reinforce faith. It also provides a sense of closure or healing from past challenges. Also, those hearing their testimonies are offered inspiration, encouragement, and a sense of hope. It creates a community bond as people realize they are not alone in their struggles. To grow in the grace of testimony, we must recognize its power and actually share our testimony with others. It’s true that our testimony’s power lies not in its secrecy but in its shared revelation.
We are challenged by these words found in 1 Peter. “In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15). This verse encourages Christians to be ready to share their faith when questioned, emphasizing the importance of doing so with kindness and respect. It reflects the idea of being ambassadors for one’s faith and promoting understanding through thoughtful communication. We discover these words in Colossians. “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person” (Colossians 4:5-6). This passage highlights the importance of Christians conducting themselves wisely and graciously, especially when interacting with those outside the faith. It emphasizes the idea of being good representatives of Christianity, engaging in conversations with love and wisdom to positively impact others.
Notice that in our verses from 1 Peter and here in Colossians, we are to be people who reflect God’s love and show respect to those we share with. Also, our story needs to point to the Savior. It’s important to keep in mind that our testimonies need to glorify God, not ourselves, be established in truth, covered in Christ’s love, and shared in the hope that other believers are encouraged and those yet to receive Christ will do so. To grow in the grace of testimony, we must recognize its power, share it with others, and do so by glorifying Christ and respecting others. It’s been said, “Our testimonies are not about showcasing our achievements but magnifying God’s grace at work in our lives. It’s not the story of our strength, but His transformative power.” In fact, our testimonies are not ours by His; they are to be used as our Lord desires.
In John 4, we have Christ’s example of sharing with others. I would encourage you to read the account, but let me summarize it for us. Jesus has a profound conversation with a Samaritan woman at a well. He begins by asking her for a drink, breaking societal norms. As the conversation unfolds, Jesus reveals his knowledge of her life, discussing her past and highlighting the spiritual water he can provide. The Samaritan woman recognizes Jesus as the Messiah, and the encounter serves as a demonstration of Jesus’ transformative power and the inclusivity of His message beyond cultural boundaries. The Samaritan woman gives her testimony to the people of her town, who, by the way, had probably treated her poorly. As a result, not only does the Samaritan woman come to Christ. But so too many in the town.
There are several lessons we can learn from Jesus’ example. First, Jesus looked for ways to share the gospel. Second, Jesus engaged others to share the gospel without discrimination. Thirdly, Jesus engaged in spiritual conversations in sharing the gospel. Jesus, the divine catalyst of spiritual transformations, engaged in profound conversations, unveiling the depth of God’s love. Fourth, Jesus dealt lovingly and respectfully in sharing the gospel. Jesus, the purest example of love and respect, spoke the gospel gently and compassionately. Lastly, Jesus possessed an enduring commitment to others in sharing the gospel. Jesus, with an unwavering commitment to humanity, shared the gospel as a beacon of enduring love. His relentless pursuit of hearts exemplifies a commitment that transcends time, urging us to emulate His dedication in sharing the transformative message of salvation with a world in need.
Over my formative years as a believer, I have had several people model the grace of testimony, one I met in college – Keith Drury. I took a class on Evangelism and Discipleship in college from Keith. He was a new professor and taught very practically. He invited us to go with him as he had spiritual conversations with people in the community. I learned so much from Him, such as to keep it real. I remember when we walked up to a home, and he turned to me and said, “You are ready…take the lead.” That moment profoundly impacted my life of growing in the grace of testimony. I have used this you watch, I do, we do, you do, I watch method to help others experience the joy of sharing their testimony.
Let me encourage you with this verse Paul writes to his young protégé Timothy in sharing his faith. “God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7). Let me use this verse to pray over us as we share our faith with those around us. Lord, may we embrace the spirit of power, love, and sound judgment that Paul writes has been bestowed upon us as believers in 2 Timothy 1:7. Grant us the courage to authentically share our faith story, uplifting fellow believers with love and guiding those distant from You, yet close to Your heart, towards the light of Your grace and salvation. Amen! Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!