I did not have any biblical training that would enable me to defend Scripture, but I did know Jesus and what He had done in my life. Even though our entire team of more than 20 college students had a lot more zeal than knowledge, we were not without the anointing and touch of God.
During this time, I often read the Bible story of the Samaritan woman recorded in John 4. This broken woman had a personal encounter with Jesus, and then she told others about Him. She actually preached to all the men of her city, and they came to believe that Jesus was the Messiah.
She was not trained as an evangelist or an apologist, yet God was able to use her to do something remarkable. Of course this does not negate our need for biblical training.
We are called to handle the “word of truth” properly and to study to show ourselves approved (see 1 Tim. 4:16, 2 Tim. 2:15, NKJV). But I have met believers who avoid witnessing because they want to wait until they understand the Bible better. Don’t wait! You have a story to tell now!
We find in the book of Acts that the apostle Paul frequently shared his testimony. Numerous times he told people
about his conversion experience on his way to Damascus to validate the reality of Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection. Whether he was standing before the Jerusalem mob in Acts 22 or before royalty, such as King Agrippa in Acts 26, Paul always shared how salvation through Jesus had transformed his life.
On the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was given to empower and fill believers to do the work of Christ, Peter preached a sermon that helped launch the early church. What did he share? A testimony of how he had seen the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.
I have never known any Christian who was able to maintain his or her fire for Christ who is not a personal witness. Sadly, many preachers today are willing to preach Jesus from their pulpits but are unwilling to be witnesses in their daily lives. This is God’s call to each and every one of us. No one is exempt!
Often we are tempted to think that unbelievers are unwilling to hear the gospel. Actually, it is usually Christians who are unwilling to share it. If you really believe in the gospel then you will be willing to mention it.
We will always talk about what’s dearest to us. We are told in Matthew 12:34 that it is “out of the abundance of the heart” that the mouth speaks. What do you talk about most?
Here are some helpful tips to better equip you to share your testimony with people who need to know Christ:
1. Write out your testimony. Articulating on paper how you met Jesus will enable you to remember, refine and recount. This cultivates an awareness of where you would be if you had not come to faith, and where others will be if they don’t find His forgiveness.
Putting your story on paper (and online) also has a way of stirring up gratitude for the grace He has given you.
Revelation 12:11 says “they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony” (emphasis added). If you cannot identify a time when you repented of sin and accepted Jesus as Savior, pray right now for salvation.
2. Ask to be filled with His Spirit. This should not be a one-time experience but a continual seeking of a fresh infilling. This is where the power and boldness comes from to make you effective. Without the Holy Spirit’s anointing you will be fearful and nonproductive.
All through Acts, when the disciples were truly filled with God’s power they also were granted boldness. Everyone claiming to be Spirit-filled should be proclaiming the salvation of Christ.
3. Ask for a heart for the unsaved. When is the last time you were truly broken that someone you knew was in danger of eternal separation from God? All around us people are living quietly in pain and hopelessness.
This world is caught in a web of divorce, financial ruin, addictions, guilt, shame, depression and despair. For many, we may be their only hope of hearing the gospel. Matthew 9:36 says, “But when Jesus saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them.” Jesus should be our model.
4. Ask God for opportunities. If you are sincere in this request, the Lord will not deny you. He will open doors for you to share His love.
I prayed this prayer one December morning and left my house only to find a stranger one block away on his knees in a field, praying for help. His wife had kicked him out of the house, and he found a cross that had been placed by a nearby Methodist church. After I shared with this man he accepted Christ and is living for Jesus to this day.
There is no greater joy than knowing God used you to lead someone to Jesus. It is not only the command of Christ but also the most rewarding of life’s accomplishments.
You can leave an eternal legacy when you share your story. What we do in this life echoes throughout all eternity because what is not eternal is eternally useless.
Your story is His story. I encourage you to share it often.
Jay Lowder is a full-time evangelist based in Wichita Falls, Texas, who does evangelistic events across denominational lines all over the world. Go to jaylowder.com to learn more about his ministry.
HOW TO SHARE
Go to testimony.charismamag.com to find examples of how some well-known Christians use their testimony to win unbelievers to Christ.
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