TESTIMONIES...EVERYBODY'S GOT 'EM

They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony. - Revelation 12:11

As Christians, we all have a testimony. John Newton penned his in Amazing Grace - “I once was lost but now I’m found, was blind, but now I see.” Our testimony sets us apart. It tells a story of courage under pressure. It paints a realistic picture of our life’s journey. And it speaks peace to the soul and a blessed assurance to the One whom we place our trust.
Yes, testimonies can deliver the message of redemption, truth, wisdom and understanding, but testimonies can also qualify us to receive our diplomas from the school of hard knocks. And Jesus, as our teacher and guide, is the One who paid for that education on the cross. When we walk from darkness into His marvelous light, He greets us with an affirmative “you are mine. You have been bought with a price.” Try soaking that in for a moment. "Jesus paid it all - all to Him I owe! Sin had left a crimson stain and He washed it white as snow!" What a powerful testimony!

You see, everyone has a testimony, but not everyone’s testimony is validated by God. What do I mean by that? Well, with a validated testimony, there are some things to consider. First, we acknowledge that it is God and not us that delivers. When faced with the decision on which way to turn at the crossroads of our circumstances, a validated testimony says that Jesus is “the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father” except through Him. Recovery and other intervention programs are wonderful. My attitude is “bring ’em on!” But without the proper “GPS” - God / Prayer / Salvation, finding our way through can lead us careening out of control.

Next, while traveling on the right course, it is God and not us that navigates through the obstacles. Sounds easier said than done, doesn’t it? I can remember a time when I had it made up in my mind that I knew better than my well-meaning friends. Guess what? They did know better and our Heavenly Father knew best! He knew I was headed for a heartache when I moved to this city for the wrong reason - chasing after a man. Yet His word provided me with a better map than I could ever have dreamed up to get me out of the mess I made. It was (and still is) His word -- “No temptation has seized you [DORIS] except what is common to man. And [I AM] faithful; [I] will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. BUT when you are tempted, [I] will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it” (I Corinthians 10:13). There’s comfort and truth in His word. When I finally got the hint, my testimony became validated by God.

Finally, it is God and not us that receives the credit. The One who placed the stars and galaxies in the stratosphere, who formed the seas and the creatures therein and who took great pains in knitting us in our mother’s womb, is the same One that took the weight of the world’s sins upon Himself. He didn’t have to, but He did. Why? Simple…because He loved us. For all the messes over all of creation, who do you know would be willing to? Jesus, that’s who. Many would say, “I’m not worth the blood He shed.” And yet His loving reply would tell us to “come all who are…”. I remember coming to Him when I had no where else to turn. He not only welcomed me with open arms, He came running toward my Prodigally-beaten down estate. I was and still am indebted to Him.

To take credit would mean I have something to offer of value. I didn’t; I only had my mess to give to Him. And still He said to me “take MY yoke upon you and learn from me.” To my credit, He extended grace and mercy. Those gifts in the hands of a once-lost life validates our testimony. We can say with confidence “Yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand” (Isaiah 68:4).

A testimony - everybody’s got them, but not everybody gets to live them through the grace and mercy of an amazing Father. Do you know someone missing Jesus from their testimony? Do them a favor. Introduce them to the One who can deliver them from evil and rightly navigate them on their life’s course. Once known, don’t be surprised who gets the credit!