Giving a Good Testimony!
Recently, in some of the areas we have been we have listened to testimonies to the goodness and care of the Lord. Others have spoken of His love & protection and still others of grace under fire. These testimonies are important for our encouragement as we see how the Lord is leading and guiding His people. But, really, how important is a testimony?
The word “Testimony” in Hebrew is “eduth. It also means “precept or warning.” It is derived from a word meaning ‚Äúwitness,‚Äù as in, “one who gives evidence”. That”s what a witness is supposed to do ‚Äì to tell the truth. That word has a primitive root (Ayin-Vav-Daleth) meaning ‚Äúto return, to repeat, to do again.‚Äù If we look at this meaning it can show us that our experience of which we testify can influence others to imitate or copy us or even to be warned from doing a particular thing because of how it affected us.
Testimony of the Scriptures
In the Old Testament we see much reference to testimony when talking about the Scriptures and, of course, this precious book given by God to us is to be our guide, our roadmap, our instructions and our warnings where needed, but also our encouragement and to lead us in all truth. Testimony or “eduth is always associated with God witnessing to the Truth. His Word is Truth and of we live by it, we can stake our lives upon it.
According to concordances and some Bible encyclopedias, in the first five books of the Bible, the word “testimony” is most often used in reference to the Tabernacle. The Tabernacle contained the Law of God to Moses, it was symbolic of God”s Covenant with His People and to them it meant that God”s Presence was with them. It was a sacred place of deep Holiness and indeed a testimony to God”s People. The generations following would know from seeing the Tabernacle and hearing the stories connected with it.
The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. Psalm 19:7. No matter what our needs are, His Word, restores our souls, reassures us of His promises and makes us wise unto Salvation. In this book, written down in human language for us, He has told us He cares, shown us He cares and sent Jesus to die to save us. It should be a privilege for us follow its guidance and to be willing to testify of Him.
Testimony of God
That is God”s testimony to us and to the rest of the World of His truth, but He does require us also to give witness and testimony to others even although it is not always easy and not always accepted.
Luke 21: 12-15 “But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake.
And it shall turn to you for a testimony. Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.”
Even today, there are those who suffer for witnessing or testifying to what God has done and can do for mankind and for individuals! But just as He promised in the Old Testament, He never changes and He will give us the wisdom to say what we should, to influence others for Jesus, to share His Word.
In giving others the Scriptures, they too will find them to be filled with the History of the beginnings of the Faith, the promises of God and the fulfillment of the plan of redemption for each one of us.
It means that God will do it, repeat it, do it again, whatever we need as He leads us safely home, no matter how often we have let Him down. He will forgive!
Testimony gives us Quiet Assurance
“Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:” 1Corinthians 1:6. His Spirit witnesses with our Spirit that the works of God have been done in our hearts, that the promises of God are sure and that He is leading and guiding our lives. This assurance makes us happy to do His Will, keeps us from Worry and allows us to stand quietly steadfast in His Love. The example of this assurance is often what speaks to other people”s hearts. We have a contact who noticed how a fellow colleague, who was a believer, had quiet confidence in the midst of a very difficult home background. When she asked how this was possible and was told that it was only through God”s power in life, this contact immediately sought us out, to tell her how she could find this peace for herself.
Our Testimony to Others
Maybe what we have to say will be a warning to others and save them going that way before coming to Christ! It could be that we encourage others, with our experience, to realize God loves them and wants to forgive them too! It just may be they see for the first time, that there is a plan of redemption provided!
Acts 14:3 Long time, therefore, abode they speaking boldly in the Lord which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.” shows that the Apostles testimony was seen and believed by many and God was able to use their testimony to reach others.
People today don”t always want to hear us defend our faith with loud words, lists of rules or even scientific evidences, but they want us to show them the difference He makes in our life and the joy & peace He gives to our living. They want to find certainty in the midst of their chaos and we can tell them how to find Him! He has given us a testimony to share!