Man, have I got a story to tell you

Acts 26:19-20   “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.

The Jews sought to kill the Apostle Paul. He had been rescued of sorts and had been taken to a Roman prison to stand before Governor Felix.  It was at times almost as a house arrest with privileges, because Felix could find no charges against him to merit punishment. For two years Felix’s curiosity with Paul and his message kept Paul close to Felix. Felix was succeeded by Festus, and Paul’s case was brought before him by the Jews again. Festus confronted Paul, and Paul witnessed to him of his faith and the case against him; then he asked to go before Caesar. In the interim, King Agrippa came to see Festus, and they brought Paul before them to hear his story again. Time after time Paul shared his faith and testimony of how Christ changed his life; and of how he could change theirs too. These were the men who held the power of life and death in their judicial system in their hands; and Paul boldly shared his faith.

Are you a walking, talking testimony of the power of Christ in your life? Are you an example of a life with new meaning once you discovered the hope of eternity; the forgiveness of sin; the power of God to transform your heart? Do those around you wonder what changed? Do they ask; do you tell? Your life’s story has a beginning and an end. Somewhere along that line is the point in your life that you experience Salvation through a humble repentant heart. That mark in your life becomes your testimony of the conversion of your life through Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:6 even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you. Every part of your life before and after that mark comes under new light. The before Christ mark allows you to witness to those in the same struggles and place hope in them for a change. The struggles you face as a disciple of Christ show you how to suffer for Christ; to take these challenges and focus in on Christ for strength. All that we face as Christians is to be used to draw glory to God.

There are three things you cannot be taken away: Salvation, your testimony, and God’s Word that you plant in your heart. Your story matters to God, and your story can be used by God to draw others to Him. Are you keeping it to yourself? Are you being bold as Paul and witnessing to those you see every day in your circle of influence? Do they even know you are a Christian by your actions? We live in a nation in dire need of hope, and you can share your hope of an eternally changed life by sharing your testimony. Most likely; the person who needs to hear it most is the person standing before you that God placed there. 1 John 5:11 And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.