There Is No Testimony Without A Test

“…. our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God” – 2 Corinthians 1:12

I love the English language – the way you can turn a phrase. But sometimes we are intrigued by the phrase and fail to comprehend the depth its meaning. 

My testimony of faith to the world – your testimony too – is that we lived by faith – not just having a mental commitment to embracing the Truth – but that our lives were a reflection of our faith. How we live – how we love. Even though the world might persecute us for our clinging to God’s precepts and creative intent, not faltering under the world’s pressure to go along to get along.

I like to watch singing auditions and listen to the stories of those auditioning. Very often they will speak of being bullied – their confidence eroded through unwarranted persecution. Surprised that what was said about them, what they were pressured to believe was untrue. The world has its eyes fixed on people of the Faith.  Christians are being “bullied” by the culture. All you have to so is agree, to abandon what you believe to be true and you will be embraced by that same culture. But our testimony must be that even in the face of rejection by the culture – maybe by friends and family – we remained true to our faith and devotion to God. Like swimming against the tide – it is much easier to just go with the flow. Not nearly so stressful – emotionally painful. To agree what the Word of God is so clear about, being Truth will a capital T, is somehow flawed and must be rejected in favor of the culture’s truth – with a small t.

“God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever.” – Romans 1:24-25

I would encourage you to read the whole chapter of Romans 1. It could have been written today. It describes the depravity of a sinful world and the challenges that Christians face. The pressure to conform to the world and its values. The test that we all must face every day.  My goal in writing this is to cause you to think about what is happening around you. To see with the “eyes of your heart” with spiritual understanding. To resist the temptation to sit in your innertube and float through life – going wherever the current takes you – which will be far away from the Truth and the Creator. One of the verses that I memorized as a new Christian was 1 John 5:11-12

“ this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.” – 1 John 5:11-12

What a testimony to a world that so desperately needs to see Jesus though the lives of the Saints.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” – Romans 12:1-2

Believe it – walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone