Testify, Testimony
In Christian circles, we often hear of someone giving their testimony. It is the story of how God has worked in their life.
In the dictionary you will find that the word testify means ‘to bear witness’ or ‘to give evidence.’ It also means ‘to make a solemn declaration.’
In the Bible the word ‘testify’ most often means to bear witness or to give evidence of the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. In John 1:7, John the Baptist was sent to point others to the truth of Jesus. His mission was to tell the people living in darkness about the Light. He was to testify.
We often hear the word ‘testify’ in the Christian faith or that someone has a testimony. A believer’s testimony is not merely the story of their life or an account of their ability to overcome their troubles. A testimony must testify to the truth of Jesus Christ. If you have been healed, your testimony must direct others to the Source of healing.
Every believer has a testimony.
Your Christian testimony may begin with you living life as you pleased - being your own boss - never thinking about God or what your life after death would be like - if you even believed in life after death. Your testimony may describe the experience of repentance. It may describe the moment when you realized that you were indeed a sinner in need of the Savior. It may tell of the great relief and joy you experienced at the time you realized that through the blood of Jesus Christ you were forgiven.
However, your Christian testimony should not end with that experience. God doesn’t stop working in our life at the point of conversion. Life has just begun. Your testimony will tell of God’s work to bring you closer - closer to the image of His Son. Your testimony will sometimes tell of a time when you experienced a great trial such as an illness, the loss of a family member or friend or a financial loss. It will tell of God’s leading and comfort during that time. Your testimony will include the continual process of sanctification. It will include the Holy Spirit in your life, guiding, convicting, and prompting
It isn’t necessary to stand up in front of the church or a group of people to give your testimony, but you should know what it is. Write it, speak it, pray it or sing it to God. Read the Psalms for heart-felt testimonies to God’s greatness. For instance, Psalm 18 is David’s testimony. He sang it to the Lord. Here are verses 2 and 6 in my own translation.
It is important that we each know our own testimony because whether it is spoken or not we have a living testimony that other people see. They either see that Jesus is our focus and that we live on that faith or they see that we live as any non-believer lives with fear, anxiety and lack of stability.
Can you testify? I suggest that you sit down and write your testimony. Know where you came from and where you are going through God’s redeeming work in your life.
In the dictionary you will find that the word testify means ‘to bear witness’ or ‘to give evidence.’ It also means ‘to make a solemn declaration.’
In the Bible the word ‘testify’ most often means to bear witness or to give evidence of the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. In John 1:7, John the Baptist was sent to point others to the truth of Jesus. His mission was to tell the people living in darkness about the Light. He was to testify.
The apostle John gave testimony that Jesus was the Son of God. This was the purpose of his gospel.(John 1:34)
The Scriptures that the Jewish leaders studied - we call them the Old Testament - testified to Jesus Christ as the only way to eternal life. However, many of the Jewish leaders did not recognize that testimony. (John 5:39)
The prophets' message testified about Jesus Christ and forgiveness of sins through His name. (Acts 10:43)
The Holy Spirit was sent to believers to testify about Jesus. (John 15:26)
The apostles were with Jesus. They knew the truth of His gospel and could testify with great power about His resurrection. They directed others to Jesus as the source of eternal life. (Acts 4:33)
At the end of the book of John, the apostle John gave testimony to the fact that this was the
truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. (John 21:24)
We often hear the word ‘testify’ in the Christian faith or that someone has a testimony. A believer’s testimony is not merely the story of their life or an account of their ability to overcome their troubles. A testimony must testify to the truth of Jesus Christ. If you have been healed, your testimony must direct others to the Source of healing.
Every believer has a testimony.
Your Christian testimony may begin with you living life as you pleased - being your own boss - never thinking about God or what your life after death would be like - if you even believed in life after death. Your testimony may describe the experience of repentance. It may describe the moment when you realized that you were indeed a sinner in need of the Savior. It may tell of the great relief and joy you experienced at the time you realized that through the blood of Jesus Christ you were forgiven.
However, your Christian testimony should not end with that experience. God doesn’t stop working in our life at the point of conversion. Life has just begun. Your testimony will tell of God’s work to bring you closer - closer to the image of His Son. Your testimony will sometimes tell of a time when you experienced a great trial such as an illness, the loss of a family member or friend or a financial loss. It will tell of God’s leading and comfort during that time. Your testimony will include the continual process of sanctification. It will include the Holy Spirit in your life, guiding, convicting, and prompting
It isn’t necessary to stand up in front of the church or a group of people to give your testimony, but you should know what it is. Write it, speak it, pray it or sing it to God. Read the Psalms for heart-felt testimonies to God’s greatness. For instance, Psalm 18 is David’s testimony. He sang it to the Lord. Here are verses 2 and 6 in my own translation.
Psalm 18:2
The LORD is the rock under my feet, my fortress and the One who rescues me;
my God is the stronghold in which I live and where I run for safety,
Psalm 18:6
When I was hurt and afraid, I called to the LORD;
I cried to my God for help.
From His home He heard my voice;
He heard and paid attention to my cry for help.
It is important that we each know our own testimony because whether it is spoken or not we have a living testimony that other people see. They either see that Jesus is our focus and that we live on that faith or they see that we live as any non-believer lives with fear, anxiety and lack of stability.
Can you testify? I suggest that you sit down and write your testimony. Know where you came from and where you are going through God’s redeeming work in your life.
 A Walk With the Women of the Bible EBook by Lynne Chapman Join me in getting to know some amazing women of the Bible while we extract valuable insights and lessons from their lives. Now available for Kindle under new title A Walk With EVE  Also availble in paperback from Cafe Press. |  Names of God Ebook Almighty God. The Creator of heaven and earth. Our God is given names in Scripture that describe the characteristics of His personality. Experience God through the names given Him in Scripture. |
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