Today you should read: Galatians 1:11:24
You know what I was like when I followed the Jewish religion…(v. 13)
And they praised God because of me…(v. 24)
These two phrases compromise the beginning and ending of a good testimony. he power of
someone’s story should always look like this. Paul had an amazing story. If you don’t know
Paul’s story I encourage you to read the book of Acts and find out but basically it’s this:
- He was a religious zealot (Jewish religion)
- He was on a self-proclaimed mission to destroy Christianity and all its followers
- He was ok with and even participated in the deaths of Christians
- On his way to do that very thing he and Jesus met face to face and it changed Paul’s life forever
This story of a miraculous 180 degree change of life was and is amazing. Paul went from being a
danger to and the fear of Christians to being one of the greatest advocates and witnesses for it.
As you go throughout history and event in everyday people’s lives you can find story after story
of lives that have been changed because of a face to face encounter with Jesus.
The second part to the story was that this change moved people to worship God. his is critical
in one’s testimony. A testimony without the gospel is just a good story. he gospel is key in
turning your testimony into an opportunity for others to “praise God because of you”. People
could easily pat you on the back and say “good job” and “way to go” about your testimony and
all of a sudden something that God did has now been passed as something you did on your own
strength and merit. Your testimony was given to you so others could “ praise God because of
you”. Don’t waste this amazing opportunity God has given you. As often as you can share your
story. ell people who you used to be and how you used to be. And don’t feel that is you were
saved very young that you don’t have a story to tell. Your story is one of grace in delivering you
from so much sin and sadness and heart ache by placing you in a great home or in a great
church. Your story is amazing too. hen, when you share, point it all back to God so that, when
you share it, they “praise God because of you”.
JumpstartCPC.com 