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Giving Witness Is a Testimony

1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)
In your hearts, set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.

Back in the day, I worked at University Hospital in Newark, New Jersey. I remember this lady who claimed to be a Christian but no one wanted to associate with her. From my observation, she did not seem to be very efficient at her job nor was she a nice person. She always had something negative to say and when her supervisor or the departmental manager would go to her with an issue, she would rebuke them as “the devil”.

She never did much but fuss at folk about the bible. One minute she is praising the Lord and the next she is cussing and fussing about the Bible. People would simply avoid her to avoid conflict. Do you know anyone like this? If not, then maybe it is you! (Just kidding, but did you look?) If she was like this at work, I am sure she was like this at home and at church. I thought to myself how being a Christian must be a miserable existence. She did not seem to have any friends no one wanted to be around her. Not even me. Why was she so miserable? It must be that she is not having fun in Christ.

Thanks be to God who gives us the victory and wisdom. In spite of this woman, I continued to attend church and build my faith. Today, I clearly understand that this woman was misplacing her faith and mixing it up with a whole lot of stuff that did not matter. A lunchtime debate about the bible is not a testimony but a political discussion most times. It has nothing to do with the word of God but about what we think about the word of God.

I learn something new in the bible every day. I will never master it completely, but I will continue to study it and use it for the Glory of God not me. If I am no longer learning through the word of God I will be either dead or I am not studying anymore. No one but Jesus have ever mastered the complete word of God.

As true Christians, we must persistently be prepared, equipped and competent to tell folk about the hope that Jesus has brought to our lives through his death and resurrection. It is equally important to understand that when we share our faith and hope, two things are important: our credibility -- is Jesus really Lord of our hearts -- and our character -- do we show gentleness and respect in our approach.

Our goal is not to win arguments, but to win souls for the kingdom. Treat everyone with respect. Pray, and ask God for the serenity to accept the things you cannot change and for the courage to change the things you can, in yourself and the wisdom to know the difference. You cannot change a person’s heart. People are going to believe what they are going to believe. Our responsibility through and in our testimony is to be a living testament to Jesus’ promise of everlasting life. It is not in so much of how well you know the bible and prevail at lunchtime discussions but giving testimony, which leads others to share in the love of Jesus.
Jesus said that many roads lead to enlightenment but the only way to the true and living God is through him. Are you running someone away from Jesus with your testimony or are your winning souls today? AMEN.

By: Elder Michael L. Hargett
Copyright 2008 © MinTech, Inc.
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