“As I’m sure you’ll remember,” Stan commented one morning, “at different times we’ve talked about the importance of having a personal testimony to share with others.”
“I do remember,” I replied.”Personal testimonies are a great way to share the truth of the gospel and to help others come to faith. Why do you mention it?”
“I was reading in Luke’s gospel the other day,” Stan said, “and I saw how Jesus encouraged a man to share his personal testimony.”
“Jesus talked about personal testimonies?” I asked.
“He sure did,” Stan replied. “While Jesus didn’t specifically mention someone having a ‘personal testimony,’ I think that’s what He was talking about.”
“How so?”
“Let’s do a quick summary of what was going on,” Stan said. “Jesus went to a place called ‘Gerasenes’ and encountered a man who was possessed with a whole bunch or demons. Jesus told the demons to get out of the man, they did, and then it happened.”
“What happened?”
“The man was so delighted to be free of the demons that had possessed him,” Stan replied, “that he wanted to go with Jesus.”
“That sounds like a reasonable thing to want to do,” I commented.
“It does,” Stan said, “but that’s when Jesus told the man to go home and tell his personal testimony of what God had done for him.”
“Did the man do that?” I asked.
“He did,” Stan replied, “and I think that’s what I’m supposed to do, along with the rest of us.”
“Tell our personal story of what God has done for us?” I asked. “What if we don’t have a story to tell?”
“It seems to me,” Stan replied, “that if professing Christians think they don’t have a story to tell someone else, if they don’t have a personal testimony about what God has done for them, they might want to take a closer look.”
____________________________
Bible verses to consider:
But the man from whom the demons had gone out was begging Him that he might accompany Him; but He sent him away, saying, “Return to your house and describe what great things God has done for you.” And he departed, proclaiming throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him. Luke 8:38-39.
And as He was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed was entreating Him that he might accompany Him. And He did not let him, but He said to him, “Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you.” And he went off and began to proclaim in Decapolis what great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone marveled. Mark 5:18-20.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for the great things you have done for me. You have given me life eternally in your presence when it’s time. You have given me the eternal life of knowing you and Jesus while you keep me on this side of eternity. I know that you want me to tell others about the great things you have done for me, but I confess that too often I don’t do that. Please forgive the foolishness of not telling others about you and the great things you have done so they may have their own personal testimony of what you have done. Please help me in following every step of your lead so I do, in fact, tell the story of the great things you have done. Thank you that I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Do you have a personal testimony to tell others about the great things God has done for you? If no, is that because you have not accepted what He has done through the cross of Christ? If that’s the case, why have you not accepted God’s free and gracious provision? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, do you have a personal testimony that you readily share with others? If no, why? Do you not think that God has done great things for you? If you sense the need for change in any of this, how is that going to happen? Is that what you want? Why or why not?
Waiting for the Train 