Have you ever heard a Christian say “I don’t really have a testimony”?
I have.
This especially seems to be a common saying among people who have grown up as Christians or in the church. I’m tired of hearing this. However, I have been saved since I was four years old, so if you are one of these people, I understand where you are coming from.
The testimonies we read about in VOM’s newsletter are powerful, especially the conversion testimonies. Maybe you have heard stories of Muslims who have had dreams or visions of Jesus. Maybe you know a Christian who had a troubled past and was radically transformed. In our September newsletter you will read about a woman who escaped from North Korea while trying to commit suicide for the fifth time. These people have been miraculously saved.
Maybe that’s not your story though.
Here’s the problem: sometimes we can use the fact that we think we don’t have a testimony as an excuse not to reach people. We think that surely someone would be better at evangelism who can relate to what other people are going through. A former Muslim can reach the Muslims, a former drug addict can witness to someone fighting addictions, a former prostitute can reach the prostitutes. That’s fair. However, I have two arguments against that: One, who does that leave you to reach? And two, is that Biblical?
Matthew 28:19, the passage on the Great Commission, makes no concession for the types of people you should witness to. It says to make disciples of ALL nations.
This is the great news: If you have ever thought you didn’t have much of a testimony, you need to know right now that’s a lie.
Have you believed in Christ and accepted his forgiveness? Then you have the most powerful testimony and story to share that has ever been told. You have been rescued from the depths of sin. You are freed from being a slave to selfishness, fear and pride. Death no longer rules over you. You have been rescued from the kingdom of darkness and brought into the kingdom of light. You have been adopted as a son or daughter of the King of Kings. That is your story. And that is the most important testimony of every believer.
Having understood this, it also compels us to love lost people generously and without judgment. Each one of us could be a drug addict, a prostitute, a Hindu, or even a persecutor, without Christ.
Unless we truly believe we were rescued from the deepest darkness, we will never truly appreciate the glorious light we have been given. And until we begin to grasp how lost and wicked we are without Christ, we won’t fully appreciate His sacrifice for us. It could be that some of the reason why our brothers and sisters in closed nations are so on fire for evangelism is that they understand their story. We can do the same. We don’t have to wait for an experience that is novel-worthy. You too, have been miraculously saved.
"Grace Taylor" serves on the staff of VOM. She was first introduced to the ministry of VOM by her parents and grandparents, who received the VOM newsletter, and through the VOM book Jesus Freaks. She has served in 12 different countries and is passionate about helping expand God’s Kingdom throughout the nations of the world.
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