Today's readings are 2 Samuel 6.1-19 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=2+Sam.+6.1-19 ), 1 Corinthians 9.1-23 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=1+Cor.+9.1-23 ), Psalm 105 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Psalm+105 ) and Psalm 96 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Psalm+96 ).
One of the rites of passage within evangelicalism is being taught how to give your testimony. This is a central focus of many evangelism classes. I know of foreign language teachers who make sure their students know how to tell their testimony in the language they are studying. And what is your testimony? It's about who you were without Christ and who you are in Christ, the hope and purpose you now have.
I've been uncomfortable with this for some time. The reason is that the Gospel is not about me, but rather for me. And this is the model we see in Scripture today in Psalm 105 and Psalm 96. What are people to tell about? They tell about the Lord's works. They tell about what God has done, not about who they personally are. And they tell about God's works in history. Notice they don't talk about what he is doing right now. Rather, they build the case for the Lord working in a consistent way throughout history to create the world and then redeem it to himself despite the sinful rebellion rampant in the world.
Let us consider when we have opportunity to talk to someone about Jesus. Do we want to tell the person who we are? Do we not want to tell the person who Jesus is, what he has done, how steadfast he is, how he has borne all our sin himself on the cross? This is our testimony. Jesus Christ was crucified for sinners, was dead, was raised from the dead the third day, and has ascended to heaven where he sits at the right hand of the Father.
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