What is a testimony?

What is a testimony? Some believers think that it's just a brief account of the way the Lord has worked in their life. While that may be true, our testimony is much more than simply a short story or a brief encounter with God. In fact, a Christian testimony is a long obedience in the same direction.

Three important aspects of our living testimony is our character, our conduct, and our conversation. The character that believers demonstrate is to be filled with truth and with grace. This Christian character includes a spirit of obedience. Do we follow God's instruction on occasions but ignore Him the rest of the time? An obedient spirit follows His guidance, no matter what. In times of trial, we remain faithful. In times of hurt, we remain strong. In times of insult, we remain humble. In times of struggle, we remain obedient to the calling that has been laid out for us. An obedient spirit follows Jesus in all things. At times our action may outwardly display obedience, but nobody except God knows what lies within our heart. He sees our true character, and it should line up with the story we tell others to glorify Him.

The second aspect of our living testimony is our conduct. In other words, what we do defines our relationship with God and with others. If what we say conflicts with our behavior, then we cloud our witness. Believers and unbelievers (especially our family) will never believe our words if they see actions that contradict the testimony of what we believe. Our conduct should never cloud our declaration of faith. This aspect of our testimony proves the genuineness of our faith. The way we act should confirm who we are in Christ.

Finally, a third aspect of our living testimony is our conversation. As Psalm 107:2 states; "Let the redeemed of the Lord say so." It is this aspect that propagates the power of Jesus' resurrection within our lives. It is our conversations that grant an opportunity to tell others what God is doing in our lives. Our words can be significant to an unbelievers who doubts the existence of God or the divinity of Christ.

I want to be known as a man that lived his long obedience in the same direction. I pray that is may always include a living testimony of character, conduct, and conversation! You know I love ya, Don