The Testimony
The Testimony
“And thou shalt put into the ark the testimony which I shall give thee.”
Exodus 25:16
What is our testimony?
In the case of the verse above, it is the covenant between God and the people of Israel. It was written on stone tablets to be placed inside the ark. The testimony, or covenant, described the understanding between God and His people. It was the behavior between the two, an agreement of sorts. It is how the people were expected to behave and how God would respond to their behavior. It wasn’t just what was written. It was the understanding. It is better known as the Ten Commandments.
The Testimony was so important, most of the Old Testament surrounds it. It was the Law from God.
The word testimony is also used throughout the Bible. It is used in the sense of a witnessing to verify truth claims and standards. So much so, that two witnesses are generally required to support such testimony.
Sound similar? It should, a Christian usually uses this word to describe how they came to know Jesus Christ. Our testimony is our story of what brought us to seek salvation.
Our testimony is our covenant with God. Our behavior, our commitment and our obedience to Him. Our testimony is what our relationship with God looks like. It’s what it looks like on the outside and on the inside. It’s what others see and what we project.
Our testimony tells others about our relationship with God. We are one tablet and He is the other. In our case, it is an unwritten expectation from God. In a sense, it is an I.O.U. A torn piece of paper, a receipt. A contract. Two people, attesting to the behavior of one. And what better person to attest to your behavior than Jesus?
There are so many things that affect our testimony and how others see our walk with God. Our Christianity is put on display every day. Do you ever wonder if someone can tell you are filled with The Spirit, without even talking to them? Can they see it coming out from the inside?
What we do affects what we are seen as. What we allow in our lives shows people who we are. Our commitment to our covenant with God will define what others see.
If your testimony is weak, others may never know that you are a Christian who lives in the Spirit. Maybe this is because you don’t. Or you allow things to weaken your testimony.
If your testimony is strong, you are a light to others. Your light might be an encouragement, lead others to a relationship with God or even pull someone out of darkness.
Don’t let something weaken your testimony, alter your convictions or reduce your standards.
Stay strong in the Lord.
“Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake. And it shall turn to you for a testimony. Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.”
Luke 21:10-15