Lately, I’ve been deeply contemplating testimonies. I’ve been reflecting on how the truth of our testimony and the blood of the Lamb are the means by which we overcome. I’ve also been considering that we don’t need to compare our testimonies to others, as if one is better than another. Regardless of the backstory, our testimonies are all about Jesus as our Savior, giving Him the glory for the transformation in our lives. I’ve also thought about how our testimonies continue as we navigate life’s challenges, finding that Christ is our sustainer and that He is faithful. Today, I want to delve into what a testimony truly is.

So, what is a testimony? Have you ever watched trials on TV? People come up one at a time to testify about what they have seen, heard, and experienced. They speak the truth as they see it and are under oath to do so. It’s the same with our testimonies. We publicly speak of what Christ has done in our lives, combined with what we’ve seen Him do personally and what we’ve heard from others. Sometimes we testify about what others attribute to God. Yet, there is more to a testimony than just words. There’s evidence.

In the courtroom of life, we publicly testify about what we have experienced and seen Christ do. Just like in a real trial, there should be evidence or themes that support the testimony or conclusions we’ve drawn. What is the evidence that supports the testimony of what Christ has done in your life? Truth always has a foundation beneath it. This is what I’m contemplating today and advocating for.

How do we prove Christ as Savior? First, it’s important to recognize that our salvation was His work. So, how can we show this inward change outwardly? Matthew 5:16 says, “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” We are called to be imitators of God as His children (Ephesians 5:1). Therefore, there is a change in us, and our behavior changes as well when we are saved. I want to be careful here because we are not called to legalism. The good works we do are not what save us; they do not make God love us more or earn grace because we can’t earn it. Instead, the good works are a sign of our faith. As it says in James 2:14-17, “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also, faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” In other words, a testimony without supporting evidence doesn’t hold water. It’s not a truth we like to think about, but it is true.

I know it’s hard to believe that it is not enough to just testify; we must have evidence to show as proof. People like to believe that we can be saved and testify without ever changing our behavior. I argue that when you encounter God, when our Savior makes us new, there is an inward change that will show outwardly. A change in our attitude. We see through God’s eyes when we look at other people and in the way we treat and love them. We operate in the fruits of the Spirit. We are patient, kind, we persevere, we forgive, and we are humble. The Bible clearly states that they will know we are believers by the fruits of our lives and our attitude and love towards others. We also show our testimony is real through our actions. First Peter 2 speaks of attitudes and behaviors we should push away from or reject, such as malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander. Or as it says in Romans 6, “Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?” So, the behavior change moving towards life in the Spirit is not about earning grace; it is about living life in the freedom Christ won for us, that He called us to.

It is for freedom that He set us free. So, this life focused on the Spirit is the natural progression or outcome of our faith. It is not how we are saved or in any way a means to earn salvation. It is simply a demonstration of the faith and transformation that Christ has worked inside of us.

All too often, people operate in extremes—legalism or no rules or standards. I propose that neither of these methods is good or right. We are not bound by the law or completely free to fulfill every fleshly desire we have because God will forgive us. Instead, as evidence of Christ as our Savior, we allow our faith to work in us a new way, life in the Spirit, where the evidence of that faith is in the actions lived out of a grateful and joyful heart. Yes, we will still fail at times, but our flesh is not controlling or leading us around. We are not living our lives to please ourselves any longer; instead, we operate in the Spirit of God.

I ask you today, what good is a testimony without evidence? That is not what God has called us to as believers. Others will come to you and say that you can live as you want. They would argue that God will forgive you, so do as you please. I would say to live a life in the Spirit and reject the flesh. Put actions behind the words you speak, or the words you speak are empty, useless, and have no power.

This is seen in our modern society when people have press conferences to apologize, but we all know they are not sorry. Oh, sure, they’re probably sorry they got caught, but they don’t regret their actions and do not plan to change. They leave and return to the same sorry choices. You see it over and over in our modern world. The Bible describes it like this: a dog returning to its own vomit. You might think that is too harsh, but is there a better description? If we’re honest with ourselves, we know that it’s true because we’ve all seen it happen and probably done it ourselves at one point or another in our lives.

My fellow believers, if we are in Christ, we are new creations; the old is gone. We walk in love as Christ walked, loving practically—meeting people’s practical needs and demonstrating evidence for the words He spoke by the actions He took. We need to live to feed our spirit, not seeking only to satisfy the desires of our flesh. Our life and faith should prove God over and over as we lean on Him, learn from Him, and are not ruled by the flesh.

I ask you today, in the courtroom of your life, is there evidence to support the testimony you proclaim? Now that you know that none of what you do saves you, but instead shows where your faith is. Yes, continue to speak boldly your testimony, but remember to live boldly as well. Actively operate in the Spirit that God has given you. That’s what we are called to do as believers. I challenge you to examine yourself, be open to God’s transformation in you. Shine good works to bring God glory! Do you realize the power and amazing work that God could affect in our world if we all lived like this? Strong in spirit, unified together in Christ, testifying to Christ as our Savior and Sustainer in every action! Overcoming by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony in both word and deed.

Scriptures: James 2:14-26, Eph. 2:8-10, 1 Thessalonians 1:3