Yesterday I gave my testimony at a business luncheon. I began by asking if God had done anything good in the lives of anyone other than me in that banquet room . Several people responded affirmatively.
I mentioned that the final thing that God commanded prior to ascending back to His throne in heaven as recorded in the very last passages of all four of the Gospels was to tell others about Jesus Christ and to spread the “good news”. I mentioned that if we are appreciative, then we should show it by telling others what God has meant to us in changing our lives for the better, ( just as I was getting ready to do that day).
I’ve noticed that far too many people are reluctant to share their testimony and witness to others about Christ, especially in the workplace. Some have never shared it with anyone, preferring to keep their faith private, (just between them and God). I have in fact been told by more than a few that their faith is a totally private matter and wasn’t anyone else’s business.
That’s not biblical my friends. In fact just the opposite is true according to the Bible.
The same intellect that designed the universe and all of creation in minute detail, leaving nothing to chance with everything working in total harmony and unison gave us the Bible. Like the rest of creation it is a sheer masterpiece and the more I study it the more I’m amazed at its marvelous perfection. I’ve come to understand that nothing was left to chance in God’s word the Holy Bible. Every word was carefully chosen, and the order in which it is presented was carefully planned with divine precision.
It is not coincidence or an accident that the very last thing Jesus instructed us to do in His ministry prior to leaving this earth was to go forth into the world and tell others about His saving grace. I believe that God thought long and hard about exactly where to place this directive for all of mankind, and that He wanted to give it prime placement in order for us to recognize its importance.
Jesus was asked by the Pharisees one time which of the 613 commandments as recorded in the Old testament was the most important and he responded: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” And yet He did not end His ministry by reiterating this passage in all four of the Gospels, He told us that we were to participate in His “Great Commission” and to spread the “good news” about Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for us and witness to the entire world.
It’s vital that we understand that this command is of utmost importance to our lives.
Some will not share their testimony because they are embarrassed. I can especially relate because my testimony is embarrassing and humiliating. I sometimes shudder when I think about going out in front of several thousand people and telling them about my inner most demons and those dark evil days of malevolent violence, drugs, vile immorality, and alcoholism and being a complete reprobate and among the worst in society.
I can only accomplish it by focusing on Jesus Christ and not myself. After all it isn’t about me; it’s about the amazing power of God to transform someone’s life and it’s about obedience to my Savior.
I’m convinced that God means business when it comes to our obeying this command that we witness to others, and I don’t believe for a minute that we can be blessed unless we obey it. Christ died on a cross in abject humiliation, stripped naked in front of His own mother and a large crowd of people who were taunting and jeering at Him, spitting on Him, pulling His beard out, cursing, beating and scourging Him, and yet He did it willingly in order that we might be with Him for eternity. He wasn’t thinking about Himself when He subjected Himself to it; He was thinking of us. We need to think of Him and witness to others.
Consider how it might make you feel if at the judgment when Jesus, who did so much for you, looks at you with piercing eyes and when you dare to peek back at Him, you see the hurt in His expression as He questions why you did not even attempt to obey His command and become a part of the Great Commission.
The Bible is clear that Jesus grieves over us. I don’t doubt for a moment that tears stream down His face as He agonizes in sorrow over some of us. As for me, I’ve caused Him enough pain and tears of sorrow in my life that I’m deeply ashamed and I don’t want to cause Him another second of sadness over me. So, while it may be personally humiliating to witness to others about my life before I became a Christian; it is an absolute pleasure to tell others how Jesus removed that sinful life as far away as infinity can take it through the shedding of His blood on that cross.
If you are having problems mustering the necessary courage to tell others about Christ, take the focus off of yourself and put it squarely on Jesus Christ. There is an old Gospel song with lyrics that in part tell us to “Keep your eyes upon Jesus”. I advise you to join me in doing just that. It’s impossible to be embarrassed if we do so.
Remember He will be with you always. He will give you the words to say and once you plant the seed, He takes it from there.
It is all about Jesus and not us folks. Believe it – live it!
Matt. 28:19
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you and lo I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.