Talk About Your Testimony (Cannot But Speak- Part 3)

News travels fast. People all over the world can learn of a catastrophe within seconds of the event. At times it seems that we are starving for new information. If something note-worthy occurs in our lives, we call, text, or update our favorite social media outlets immediately. Then we check to see what is happening in the lives of our friends on an hourly basis. So the question is this: Is the life-changing work of Jesus “old news?”

In the life of the first disciples of our Lord, the news never got old. Peter and John, for example, were connected with the Holy Spirit and empowered for a bold declaration of Christ’s work. The evidence of life-change in these men was undeniable. Yet, the religious leaders wanted to squash the news, suppress the testimony of these and the growing multitude of Christ followers.

In Acts 4, Peter and John were imprisoned for their bold faith in Jesus. Upon questioning by the prominent religious officials in Jerusalem, they received the mandate to cease their testimony of Christ in the public realm. Responding to this threat of future punishment, Peter and John proclaimed, “…for we cannot but speak of what we have seen…” (verse 20). As a witness that has been called to testify in a law court, the disciples made a simple statement. They saw what they saw and they must tell the truth of what they saw. What they saw was so profound and convincing, they could not keep silent, even under the threat of death.

One night in May 2008, a severe storm ripped through my community. That was certainly a night to remember as many of us were under the threat of tornados. The Advance, N.C. tornado (F2-3) came within a quarter of a mile from our home. Many of our neighbors were materially devastated, yet by a miracle of God, no one was seriously injured. We praised God for the protection and the warning that we received.

For the first week, it seemed that the storm was all people wanted to talk about, myself included. I likely recalled over one hundred times the events in our home. We rarely watch television in the evening. It happened to be on when the warning came out. We got the boys out of bed and into the basement, just as the power went out. Moments later, the terrifying signature sound of a freight train caused an emergency prayer meeting. In a moment later, all was calm. We were spared and spent the rest of the night praising our Lord.

About a week after the storm, the Lord hit me with a spiritual truth. I was willing to talk with people about my experience in the storm without hesitation. I talked freely with neighbors, family, and even some guy at the checkout in Wal-mart. It was a hot topic in which I seemed to enjoy engaging discussion.

Why do I not have the same zeal and eagerness to talk about a salvation greater than my family and house being safe in a storm? I have been set free from sin. I have been spared eternal punishment by the grace of Jesus. I did not hesitate to talk about the sound of the wind with a perfect stranger. Why am I hesitant to talk about the love of a Savior with anyone who will lend an ear?

When I first began to follow Christ, I wanted to tell everyone. I pray that God would again impress upon my heart that kind of urgency. My prayer is that we would walk in boldness and look for opportunities to share our testimony of God’s grace and love with others.

No evidence for God’s existence is more powerful an irrefutable than your personal testimony. If you have seen God’s hand at work in your life, do not withhold this evidence from others. When we are willing to share the hope with have in Christ with others, we will be amazed at how often the Holy Spirit opens the door of opportunity to speak of Christ to others.

This post is a part of the series “Cannot But Speak.” To see previous posts, click on the links below:
“Cannot But Speak Introduction”
Talk to God First

The next post will encourage you to be bold in what you have heard about God. Check back soon or sign up to receive updates to this blog on the “Email Subscription” link to the right.