Testimony: October 9, 2012

TODAYS WORD FOR TUESDAY OCTOBER 9, 2012.

TESTIMONY

DEFINITION:

The statement or declaration of a witness under oath; evidence in support of a fact or statement; proof; open declaration or profession as of faith.

SCRIPTURE:

"This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things, and we know his testimony is true." John 21:24.

"And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified." I Corinthians 2:1-2.

"He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son." I John 5:10-11.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

The word testimony is probably best known in the secular world as statements made in a court session. In the Christian world a testimony usually refers to the words one gives in a group or to an individual concerning one’s relationship with Jesus. This testimony usually contrasts one’s life before accepting Jesus as one’s Savior with the life one is living now.

We can remember as kids going to church and often hearing moving testimonies of life changing experiences. When we were working with Youth for Christ we had Saturday night youth rallies attended by thousands each week. The programs included music, skits, and contests and always ended with the testimony of some speaker, usually a known personality, whose life had been completely changed because they had accepted Jesus as their Savior.

A testimony is of no value unless it is based on truth. That is why when a testimony is to be given in a court of law, the person testifying must swear to tell the truth and nothing but the truth. In John 21:24 the Apostle John is speaking of himself as the one who is testifying that Jesus was God. John's testimony is true because he was an eye witness and his account was based on his personal relationship with Jesus. John walked with Him, talked with Him, and worked with Him daily while He was on this earth. John's words verify that Jesus is the Christ and that He was the Son of God.

In the passage we noted above from I Corinthians chapter two, Paul is writing to the church at Corinth verifying the testimony that Jesus is Lord and Savior and available for them. Paul always looked for every opportunity to give his testimony that Jesus was his Lord and Savior. Paul was a learned scholar and could preach with eloquence. In this passage Paul says he preached a simple testimony of Jesus and wants us to understand it is not the eloquence of the words of a person’s testimony that brings others to faith and a relationship with Jesus, but it is by God's power. We should never fear to give our testimony because of its simplicity because God will use our testimony no matter how eloquent or simple.

And finally in I John 5:10-11, John tells us that whoever believes and receives the testimony that God has given us, will receive His promise of eternal life. These are just three examples from the scriptures that give us the assurance that the Bible is a true testimony that God is who He says He is and Jesus is His Son and the Savior of all who believe.

If you ever doubt personally or talk to one who doubts the certainty of your faith and your relationship with Jesus, just remember you have the testimony of Jesus Himself that He is God's Son. You have the testimony of the disciples who walked, talked and lived with Jesus while He was on this earth. And you have the testimony of God’s Word, the Bible, and those that were led by the Holy Spirit to write down for us the testimonies of those who lived during Jesus time here on earth and had a personal encounter with Him.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in I Peter 5:7.

Casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

PRAYER:

I rejoice today in the certainty that I have of knowing You and the anticipation of spending eternity with You. Thank You for the TESTIMONIES that You have given us to confirm that You are the very Son of God and the Savior of all who believe in You. May my life be a TESTIMONY of my love for You and the life-changing power of the salvation I have received through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross of Calvary.