By Not Known
Each of us has a story to tell. Scripture informs us that our story is one of transformation; from old to new, from darkness into light, and from death to life. It is a story of who we were before we ‘met’ Christ, and of our journey that led us to Him. Even now, the story continues of who we are in Him. What a great story it is!
Paul, in an effort to re-establish his ‘credentials’ before a church that started to treat him as an enemy of the Gospel, retells his story in Galatians chapter 1. In it, we see a picture of God’s transforming grace in his life; from a Jewish fundamentalist to a Gospel evangelist.
Here are three points of his testimony:
1. Before conversion: What used to matter most to him, no longer matters (vv13-14).
2. During conversion: What used to not matter much, is now central to him (vv15-16).
3. After conversion: What is now central to him, directs his life (vv17-24).
In a nutshell, Paul met Christ and was changed forever. He was always ready to give a testimony of the Christ who found him. He constantly looked for opportunities to tell his story.
While not everyone has a dramatic conversion, all of us become Christians by meeting Christ. Likewise, all of us have a faith story to tell. But have we been telling our story lately?
We are living in a time where culture resonates with experiential stories. What else can be more experiential than the story of how our lives are redeemed by God? Your unique story might just be the story that opens them up to hear the greater story ―Jesus Christ.
Charles Spurgeon once preached a Christmas sermon with the aim of encouraging Christians to prayerfully seek opportunities to share their personal stories with friends and family. Spurgeon shared that we should go and tell what we felt, the great things God has done for us. But have we been telling our story lately?
Spurgeon ended this sermon with the following points: by sharing, we honour our Saviour (we after all, are part of his God’s greater story); by sharing, we can edify fellow believers; and by sharing, we can reach lost friends and family. Let us be ready and willing to tell it, so that others may be led by the Spirit to desire the same mercy of God for themselves.
Let me encourage you to organise your thoughts as you craft your story.
First, we recall our lives before Christ (e.g. Paul was an enemy of Christ and his followers); secondly we recount followed by how we came to faith (e.g. Paul focused on what Christ did ― a ‘distinguishing event’), this describes how we repented and were made a new creation in Christ. Lastly, we declare life after Christ (e.g. Paul describes his changed goals and life direction), sharing how we are transformed after God’s grace entered our lives.
We have a unique faith story that is worth listening to. It is time we start to share it at every opportunity.
Go by God’s grace and guidance ― tell your story to someone today!
Amos Lau