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It’s Not Our Story

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John 6:44 For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to Me, and at the last day I will raise them up.1 NLT

Every believer has a story to tell about their redemption. Some are inspirational and emotional. Believe it or not some are even funny. But it’s the realism that makes those truthful stories relatable and memorable.

I love to have the opportunity to tell others about Jesus. As believers, it is so important to share our story of redemption.

But while it is important to share your story, it is so important to tell the story in a way that helps people see Jesus, not us.

Salvation doesn’t occur because others can relate to our life story. Our testimony is just an opportunity to let others see how Jesus works.

Our testimony is about Jesus. It’s never really about what we’ve been through, or what we have done. The Bible is so clear about that.

2 Corinthians 5:19 For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation NLT2

1 John 4:14 And we have seen, and we testify that the Father has sent his Son as the world’s Savior. CSB

Romans 2:4 Or do you despise the riches of his kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognizing[a] that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? CSB

Because the cost of my sin is death, and the free gift of God is eternal life, then my testimony must showcase my Savior, not me. Otherwise, people who hear about the sorrows and troubles in my life will just leave thinking about how sorry they are for me.

Also, if my testimony is not one of grief and trouble, but instead illustrates my blessings, wealth or fame, then I must emphasize the fact that nothing I have was because of my ability. All of my blessings are poured from God’s hand and must be utilized for the kingdom, not for self-promotion.

Of course, every born-again believer has a story. Some life stories that have culminated in a person’s salvation are just tender childhood realizations that you are a sinner who needed Jesus to forgive you and accept you as you were at a particular time.

Many believers have had people in their lives who prayed for and encouraged them. Grandparents, parents, teachers, friends, doctors, nurses, pastors, and many others are unsung heroes of faith. These individuals love Jesus through humble and kind actions. They are anonymous disciples whose integrity and faith quietly show their love for the Lord.

Romans 10:9-10 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.3

Some stories occur late in life. I know the story of a woman who was in her nineties who gave her heart to Jesus. It was just a very matter of fact event in her life. There were no emotional hallelujahs. She just had confidence in the promises of God and was able to discard the lifelong excuses for hating God.

This believer realized that no religion could save her. She fully understood that Jesus just wanted a relationship with her that was personal and real. She admitted that she was a sinner even though she had lived a good and an ethical life.

From a human perspective her salvation was in the nick of time because she died a short time after her conversion. But even though this woman always had a choice, the Bible warns people, 2 Corinthian4s 6:2 ” For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you.  On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.”

Photo by Ken Carley
Photo by Ken Carley
Photo by Ken Carley

There are stories just like those and everything in between. But for the true believer, the real story is simply this.

John 3:16-17 God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.5

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me,
Christ in the ear that hears me.

I arise today
Through the mighty strength
Of the Lord of creation. (Attributed to St. Patrick)

  1. New Living Translation (NLT)Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. ↩︎
  2. New Living Translation (NLT)Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. ↩︎
  3. New Living Translation (NLT)Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. ↩︎
  4. New Living Translation (NLT)Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. ↩︎
  5. New Living Translation (NLT)Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. ↩︎

All other scripture is taken from the CSB Version of the Holy Bible

Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.

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