Introduction to Testimony

Evidence or proof provided by the existence or appearance of something

Google Dictionary

When one thinks of the word “testimony” oftentimes its in relation to a court proceeding. Someone gives testimony to support one “side’s” case or the other. What they are doing is giving either their account of the actions that took place or they are called in as an expert witness to help give credibility to one side’s argument. When thinking of this blog passage, the thought of giving testimony can help to describe our purpose in giving God’s “side” of the issue. We are first hand witnesses of what occurs as part of having a relationship with Jesus Christ. In a sense, we are experts, if we have fully surrendered to him, by the transforming power of the Gospel.

However, we are also the evidence or proof of His existence in this world because of the existence and appearance of our lives. Paul said it this way:

Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, know and read of all men: Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit if the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshly tables of the heart.

2 Corinthians 3: 2-3

It was the custom in Paul’s day, that when one traveled to a foreign location, under official business, that they would take an “official” letter with them, signed by some high official, to provide proof of who they were and the business that they were come to undertake in that foreign land. Paul was stating that he didn’t need to carry with him official papers. The Christians in that location served as his proof or evidence of his business or work. The word “epistle” simply means letter. They were the letters of evidence that people in that region were “reading.” They were the letters that provided the evidence of the existence of Jesus Christ and his power to transform. They were not pen and ink letters. However, God himself wrote the message of peace on their hearts. Remember, this is the same God whose finger wrote the commandments on tables of stone (Another definition of “testimony” is “the tablets inscribed with the Mosaic Law). Do you ever wonder what Jesus was writing on the ground when the scribes and the Pharisees brought to him the woman caught in adultery (John 8: 1-11)? Remember, that Jesus was God manifested in the flesh (1 Timothy 3: 16). The same finger that wrote the commandments that they were accusing her of breaking was the same finger that was now writing on the ground. The same finger that was writing on the ground is the very same finger that writes on stony hearts of flesh to transform them into fleshly tables of the heart. The scribes and the Pharisees definitely got the message.

The purpose of this portion of the blog is to highlight some of those, in the past and present, that were letters or testimonies for Jesus Christ. Their lives were and are evidence and proof of His existence. They were and are used to be “repairers of the breach.”

Hebrews the 11th chapter gives an account of several hero’s of the faith; from Abel to the prophets and more. These men and women were common people who, by faith, God used to execute his specific purpose and plan in their respective day and ages. Those in the Bible have written histories to describe their deeds. Hebrews 11: 36-40 speaks of others who endured much, by faith, to promote God’s purpose. Hebrews 12: 1-2 sums it up this way:

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

It is one thing to read a bunch of doctrinal studies and even blog posts on how to live for Jesus. It is another thing to “read” the lives and examples that God places in our way to help us understand how his word is to be applied. Common people with common trials and temptations who through their relationship with Jesus Christ become over-comers. They help us to understand that if they can do it, so can we. Not all had “fairy-tale” endings to their lives on this earth. However, all who remained faithful, reached their ultimate goal and destination – Heaven.

We hope to also highlight some current living examples. They continue to contend for the faith. They continue to be repairers of the breach. We can learn from their examples being in this present world. It is my hope that this section of the blog will encourage us and challenge us that we might be called a “testimony” in this present world and be faithful until we reach that world to come.