Wednesday, February 18, 2009

What Is Our Testimony Saying?

Don't forget to leave me a comment until February 20th when I celebrate my 1st year blogging.

I am giving away two beautiful wall crosses to two randomly drawn names of anyone who leaves a comment on my blog.

I posted a picture in my sidebar of the crosses.

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Can you remember back to when you were a new Christian and the hunger that you had for God? What was your life like prior to becoming a Christian?

Maybe you were already living a "good" life, going to church and not committing any major "outward" sins for all the world to see. So much so that when you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, it was something that made your family, friends and co-works think...hmmmm, what is different about her/him? She/he seems to have a different attitude, smiles more and/or is happy. Maybe the changes weren't that drastic for you, as it was for others.

You might have been the one that was living a pretty "rough" life that might have included drinking, drugs, sex, cursing and/or worse. When you became a Christian and the Light of Jesus Christ began to shine through you, it was like "wow, look at the change in her/him, they are so different, going to church, reading their Bible, they have been delivered from their addictions, stopped cursing and instead, began to witness to those that were living the same life as you were previously.

Regardless, of which scenario best fits the change that Jesus Christ made in your life, at the moment of salvation, we began to build a different kind of testimony. We began to care about what others thought, how we reacted to stressful situations, we wanted to let others see Christ in us...we wanted to be different. We wanted to be a witness for Jesus Christ that was pleasing to Him.

But, what about after you have been a Christian for awhile...did the passion and eagerness to please God start to wane? Did you continue to serve Christ but relaxed just enough that when the enemy threw a stumbling block in our path that the "old" you slipped through the cracks that the enemy of our souls created?

As Christians and witnessed for Jesus Christ, you can be assured that others are always watching you to see how you will react to adversity. Even when you think that no one is looking or sees you...someone usually does (other than Jesus).

All it takes is one or two slip ups as a Christian to wreck your testimony for Jesus or at least, to cause serious damage to it. The ones that are watching us the closest are usually non-believers. How can we witness to them, tell them that Jesus will make a difference in their life...if we act like we did when we were of this world.

All the right actions and Christ-like testimony can be wrecked by just one or two slip ups...maybe in a moment of weakness. If we repent, ask forgiveness...then, Jesus promises to forgive us of our sins and it is to be remembered no more. He cast our sins into the sea of forgiveness and post a NO FISHING sign there.

But, what damage have we done to our testimony? How easy is it to repair for those who are watching you or those who you have been witnessing to?

Just something to think about today...it has been a question that I've asked myself a lot lately.

Revelation 12:11
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. (KJV)

Proverbs 18:21
What you say can preserve life or destroy it; so you must accept the consequences of your words. (Message)

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

11 comments:

  1. Hi My sistah!!!
    You are so right and that is why we need to be thankful for God's unconditional Love and grace. Sometimes we may be the only Bible that people will ever read.

    Hugz Lorie

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  2. Such a deep thought provoking post my friend, love you.

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  3. You have made some good points. My life style as a Christian when my son was growing up was just the opposite of what I was coming out of my mouth.

    Let's say I talked the talk but didn't walk the walk. I know it has affected his thoughts towards God as a adult.

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  4. Jenn,

    As someone who has blown my testimony at times in a single moment at a Target store with a cross word to a cust service rep...or with unkindness distributed to a fellow sister even when in the act of trying to show her she needs to repent (no justification), I can tell you I am so glad that Jesus allows for repentance. And I am glad that the Spirit of God has begun to convict me of the times earlier and earlier the more I have walked with my Jesus.

    I am more mindful and tender to my witness. Oh that it would have always been that way! What a beautiful post, my friend. Sending my love your way today! Hugs to you!

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  5. The sad thing is -- people don't realize that being a Christian doesn't mean we are perfect. We are FORGIVEN, but still have to make daily choices and walk through our commitment to the Lord.

    I have felt more than once that I have blown my testimony out of the water. I HATE it when I feel that way. Condemnation loves to sneak in and grab me by the throat. Thank GOD for His love and forgiveness.

    Bless you Jenn!
    Beth

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  6. I think about that often. I always want to be a shining light for Him...I want people to always see and know that there is something different about me. (and my family) Great food for thought.

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  7. Jennifer, Jenn Jenn Jenn. I love this post!!! Awesome conviction here and will keep me on my toes to make my light shine brightly and rightly for Him!

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  8. I think that how we treat others one of the most noticeable ways that we witness as Christians.

    An Arkies Musings

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  9. Thanks for this post. It is so much to think about! The scripture from Revelation 12 always makes me aware of how much I want my testimony be to be a victorious one and give glory to the Lord...

    Bless you!
    Susan

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  10. I'm not sure if I responded to this post because I feel like I read it while I've been sick. Perhaps I did and my heart drew back to it. It is well said and nothing more for me to add only to take away with me precious sister.

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  11. I totally agree with you...and yet, at the same time, those slip-ups can sometimes even turn into a blessing as God uses all things for the good of those who love him! As a Christian I have "fallen down" so many times...too many times to count. But through those mistakes I have gained valuable wisdom. It's too bad when others have to witness our big mistakes, but I am so thankful that God has the power to work it all out even when we screw it all up. Great post!

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Thank you for stopping by today and sharing your heart felt thoughts with me. As we ride "Through the Storms of Life" together, chances are...your situation is different than mine. However, we serve the same awesome God, King of Kings who is in complete control and it all belongs to Him anyway...He wants to give you the very best. Be encouraged my friend, God loves you!

Thank you again for taking the time to visit me at "Through the Storms of Life".

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