"Has the LORD redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies" (Psalm 107:2, NLT).
"Let the redeemed of the LORD tell their story--those he redeemed from the hand of the foe" (ibid., NIV).
"Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble" (ibid., ESV).
"You see, we don't go around preaching about ourselves. We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus' sake" (2 Cor. 4:5, NLT).
"Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what he did for me" (Ps. 66:16, NLT).
DISCLAIMER: THIS POST DOES NOT MEAN I CLAIM TO BE THE EXPERT ON THE SUBJECT. IT WAS PROMPTED MAINLY BY MY OWN EXPERIENCES AND LEARNING CURVE THROUGH THROUGHOUT MY SPIRITUAL JOURNEY'S SCHOOL OF HARD KNOCKS AND HEARING OTHERS. I HOPE SOME OF THE WISDOM MAY COME IN HANDY AND CAN BE PASSED ON.
Giving one's conversion testimony can be done in the wrong way, even if you're sincere. We are to take our testimony as serious business and even get counsel or advice on what to share, or as to what's relevant or works. Sometimes our life is a testimony in itself and our actions speak louder than words: One cowboy was asked why he didn't hitch his horse at the saloon anymore, but at the chapel; he replied simply that he heard the gospel and decided to change hitching posts--sometimes a short dramatic explanation of our metamorphosis is all that's necessary, just like the healed blind man in John 9:25, NIV, saying, "One thing I do know, I was blind but now I see."
A testimony is a first-hand, personalized account of your experience in the Lord--what happened, not just what formula you followed or plan of salvation you used. You cannot refute such a personal claim. It is vital to relate how your life changed and what is so different now if there is conversion (conversion means a change took place--the whole point in salvation: a changed and exchanged life!).
We are all called to do the work of an evangelist and "preach the Word in season, and out of season" (cf. 2 Tim. 4:2). We cannot expect them to always take our word for it but should rely on the convicting power of the Word, that will not come back void and will accomplish God's purpose (cf. Jer. 1:12, Isa. 55:11). It is the Word that God promises to use as imperishable seeds implanted. We should address the situation at hand, give relevant info, and then make a beeline for the gospel, as this is the big opportunity and chance with an open door if we have gained their ear. Background info is vital to help the inquirer relate to us and our situation, just as Paul always gave his personal history.
We all have a unique story to tell and the Bible says in Psalm 107:2, NIV: "Let the redeemed of the LORD tell their story...." Share with them how you came to see the light! Just saying you accepted Christ as Lord and Savior and became a Christian is simplistic, a cliche, or even hackneyed, if not in context. and if you don't elaborate or expound. What do you mean by that? Not everyone understands the jargon of Christianity and will understand you--the purpose is to reach the lost who don't know the lingo, not the saved who do.
Usually, testimonies are going one-on-one and can be made to suit, tailor, or fit the person we're witnessing to--you should know your audience or recipients! No testimony should ever be negligent to make mention of an open invitation to accept Christ, as the Holy Spirit is opening the door we take advantage of it--many a believer has to learn by lost opportunity and trial and error. The purpose of a testimony is to show others how to get saved, not just announce that you're a Christian.
We must remember that we cannot argue people into the kingdom nor rationalize God because the Holy Spirit has to do a work on their hearts first of preparation; i.e., we talk to God about people, before we talk to people about God and ask Him to open the door that only He can do. The key to witnessing is laid out in Romans 1:14-16 as being a debtor to God, being eager and ready to share, and not being ashamed. We must remember that only we can tell our story--everyone has a unique testimony and can reach a certain segment with it. We have our marching orders directly from God to preach the gospel, known as the Great Commission, and the church is meant to facilitate and equip us for this challenge and mission. We are all ministers of reconciliation appointed the task of preaching the good news about Jesus (cf. 2 Cor. 5:18).
One caveat is not to come on too strong or to force the issue, but be tactful and sensitive to where they are spiritual--let God work on them and woo. He alone tugs at the heart and opens it to grant the gift of faith. The keys to a complete testimony are to explain one's life before salvation and then how you came to faith in Jesus, and finally the results of conversion and what your present experience is now. Sometimes one can make use of evangelistic tools or anything that will bring up the subject in a roundabout manner, such as sharing a blog post or even making an indirect approach by mentioning one of the sound barriers (the mention of God, Christ, sin, etc.) and fishing for an opening.
But the Lord's servant must never quarrel (cf. 2 Tim. 2:23f). And bear in mind that neither he who plants, nor he who waters is anything, but God who gives the increase (cf. 1 Cor. 3:7). One also plants seeds or sows and another reaps! We don't rely on the wisdom of man or of our own brilliance or craftiness, but on the power of the Word to prepare the heart and make it wise unto salvation.
To be effective, we should heed Paul's obedience to the gospel: "For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received..." (1 Cor. 15:3a, ESV). We don't want to just demonstrate that we can talk the talk and speak the language, but we want to bring conviction. Paul was obedient to the heavenly calling as our exemplar and role model. In short, a testimony is this: What's the gospel according to you? Soli Deo Gloria!
"Let the redeemed of the LORD tell their story--those he redeemed from the hand of the foe" (ibid., NIV).
"Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble" (ibid., ESV).
"You see, we don't go around preaching about ourselves. We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus' sake" (2 Cor. 4:5, NLT).
"Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what he did for me" (Ps. 66:16, NLT).
DISCLAIMER: THIS POST DOES NOT MEAN I CLAIM TO BE THE EXPERT ON THE SUBJECT. IT WAS PROMPTED MAINLY BY MY OWN EXPERIENCES AND LEARNING CURVE THROUGH THROUGHOUT MY SPIRITUAL JOURNEY'S SCHOOL OF HARD KNOCKS AND HEARING OTHERS. I HOPE SOME OF THE WISDOM MAY COME IN HANDY AND CAN BE PASSED ON.
Giving one's conversion testimony can be done in the wrong way, even if you're sincere. We are to take our testimony as serious business and even get counsel or advice on what to share, or as to what's relevant or works. Sometimes our life is a testimony in itself and our actions speak louder than words: One cowboy was asked why he didn't hitch his horse at the saloon anymore, but at the chapel; he replied simply that he heard the gospel and decided to change hitching posts--sometimes a short dramatic explanation of our metamorphosis is all that's necessary, just like the healed blind man in John 9:25, NIV, saying, "One thing I do know, I was blind but now I see."
A testimony is a first-hand, personalized account of your experience in the Lord--what happened, not just what formula you followed or plan of salvation you used. You cannot refute such a personal claim. It is vital to relate how your life changed and what is so different now if there is conversion (conversion means a change took place--the whole point in salvation: a changed and exchanged life!).
We are all called to do the work of an evangelist and "preach the Word in season, and out of season" (cf. 2 Tim. 4:2). We cannot expect them to always take our word for it but should rely on the convicting power of the Word, that will not come back void and will accomplish God's purpose (cf. Jer. 1:12, Isa. 55:11). It is the Word that God promises to use as imperishable seeds implanted. We should address the situation at hand, give relevant info, and then make a beeline for the gospel, as this is the big opportunity and chance with an open door if we have gained their ear. Background info is vital to help the inquirer relate to us and our situation, just as Paul always gave his personal history.
We all have a unique story to tell and the Bible says in Psalm 107:2, NIV: "Let the redeemed of the LORD tell their story...." Share with them how you came to see the light! Just saying you accepted Christ as Lord and Savior and became a Christian is simplistic, a cliche, or even hackneyed, if not in context. and if you don't elaborate or expound. What do you mean by that? Not everyone understands the jargon of Christianity and will understand you--the purpose is to reach the lost who don't know the lingo, not the saved who do.
Usually, testimonies are going one-on-one and can be made to suit, tailor, or fit the person we're witnessing to--you should know your audience or recipients! No testimony should ever be negligent to make mention of an open invitation to accept Christ, as the Holy Spirit is opening the door we take advantage of it--many a believer has to learn by lost opportunity and trial and error. The purpose of a testimony is to show others how to get saved, not just announce that you're a Christian.
We must remember that we cannot argue people into the kingdom nor rationalize God because the Holy Spirit has to do a work on their hearts first of preparation; i.e., we talk to God about people, before we talk to people about God and ask Him to open the door that only He can do. The key to witnessing is laid out in Romans 1:14-16 as being a debtor to God, being eager and ready to share, and not being ashamed. We must remember that only we can tell our story--everyone has a unique testimony and can reach a certain segment with it. We have our marching orders directly from God to preach the gospel, known as the Great Commission, and the church is meant to facilitate and equip us for this challenge and mission. We are all ministers of reconciliation appointed the task of preaching the good news about Jesus (cf. 2 Cor. 5:18).
One caveat is not to come on too strong or to force the issue, but be tactful and sensitive to where they are spiritual--let God work on them and woo. He alone tugs at the heart and opens it to grant the gift of faith. The keys to a complete testimony are to explain one's life before salvation and then how you came to faith in Jesus, and finally the results of conversion and what your present experience is now. Sometimes one can make use of evangelistic tools or anything that will bring up the subject in a roundabout manner, such as sharing a blog post or even making an indirect approach by mentioning one of the sound barriers (the mention of God, Christ, sin, etc.) and fishing for an opening.
But the Lord's servant must never quarrel (cf. 2 Tim. 2:23f). And bear in mind that neither he who plants, nor he who waters is anything, but God who gives the increase (cf. 1 Cor. 3:7). One also plants seeds or sows and another reaps! We don't rely on the wisdom of man or of our own brilliance or craftiness, but on the power of the Word to prepare the heart and make it wise unto salvation.
To be effective, we should heed Paul's obedience to the gospel: "For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received..." (1 Cor. 15:3a, ESV). We don't want to just demonstrate that we can talk the talk and speak the language, but we want to bring conviction. Paul was obedient to the heavenly calling as our exemplar and role model. In short, a testimony is this: What's the gospel according to you? Soli Deo Gloria!
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