testimony (noun)
a solemn declaration usually made by a witness under oath; firsthand authentication of a fact;
an outward sign; a public profession of a religious experience

Meriam-Webster Dictionary

Testimony. It’s a fairly common word in our legal system, but it’s also one of those words that I call a “churchy” word. You know, those words that have one meaning out in the world but have a very specific meaning in church (save, redeem, forgive, grace, mercy, anoint, call, testimony, witness, etc…)

On the “churchy” side, Meriam-Webster’s dictionary defines testimony as “a public profession of a religious experience”. Now, this language-loving lady holds her dictionary pretty close to her heart, but I’m going to contest Meriam-Webster on one word and revise the definition:

testimony – a public profession of a relationship experience

You see friends, God isn’t about “religious” experiences. God is about personal relationships.

In John 3:16, God tells us clearly that whosoever believes in Jesus will have everlasting life. Not, whosoever lights the most candles or whosoever has the best attendance record or whosoever builds the biggest church; whosoever believes in Jesus will be saved.

In Revelation 3:20, God says to us, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” Again, God doesn’t say “Behold, I will come to you after you’ve done X, Y, and Z religious duties. No, no, dear heart, God says He knocks and we open the door and invite Him in and He comes in and we fellowship with Him over a meal.

That my friend, is a relationship experience.

So, with that little correction in meaning, let’s look at the next part: a public profession.

Beloved, your personal relationship with God is just that – personal – between you and Him. BUT…just like religious isn’t the same as relationship, personal is not the same as private. Your testimony – your public profession of a relationship experience with God, made possible by the birth, death, and resurrection of the Son, Jesus Christ – that’s not meant to be private; that’s not yours to keep to yourself.

Your testimony – your public profession of God’s relationship with you through tests and trying times – that’s for other people and sharing it isn’t optional. God not only encourages us to share our testimony, He commands it:

• Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others He has redeemed you from your enemies. – Psalm 107:2 NLT

When Jesus drove the demons known as “Legion” out of the man they possessed, the man begged to travel with Jesus, but Jesus told him, “Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” (Luke 8:39 ESV). When Paul wrote Timothy, he said, “Do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord” (2 Timothy 1:8a ESV).

In the Amplified version of 1 John 5:10a we read, “The one who believes in the Son of God [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies confidently on Him as Savior] has the testimony within himself [because he can speak authoritatively about Christ from his own personal experience].

Brothers, more than ever, it is time to be bold in the sharing of how God has redeemed you from the hand of the enemy!

Sisters, it is long past time to stand strong and proclaim the wonderous works of God’s hands in your life!

Sweet Siblings, I know one of the enemies that God has redeemed us from is ourselves, that some of the messes His hands have cleaned up are messes of our own making. I know that testifying to His wonderous works in those situations is painful and can feel embarrassing, but what is embarrassment really but pride. And what is pride, but another enemy to overcome? God isn’t asking you to air your dirty laundry to bring you shame because God doesn’t work in shame. Shame is the enemy trying to get you to keep God’s mighty work in your life to yourself; to keep others imprisoned in hopelessness and despair.

God is commanding you to share what He’s done for you and in you so that others may know hope and see the Source of your rescue and your joy. You don’t have to dig up every painful detail or reveal every private thought or personal failing. You just have to be willing to submit to God’s command to share your relationship experience with Him with others and to let Holy Spirit lead you in what to say, when, and to whom.

Redeemed of the Lord, ask God who you need to share His wonderous works with today and what to share. I guarantee God will bless you with an opportunity to bring Him glory through your story!