A conversion testimony can be powerfully influential when given to those who knew the believer’s life before he or she came to Christ.
The magnetism of a better life transformed by the regenerating grace and power of God is, in fact, quite strong to those who concede that their lives lack the peace and purpose they desire.
But I read something this morning that reminded me of something we Christians don’t sufficiently recognize.
I’m talking about the testimony that speaks to those who’ve already “named the Name of Jesus Christ.”
I’m talking about the testimony of those who became believers, then strayed and then came back home spiritually.
This is the sort of testimony that doesn’t get as much play in our churches because it requires humble admission of personal failure.
But it’s also the sort of testimony that is more commonly needed and can touch more lives, it seems to me.
I’m talking about the believer who speaks openly and humbly about the journey from submission to rebellion and back.
This is a journey of every believer to varying extents during the course of his or her life. Sometimes the waywardness is brief and minor. Sometimes it is extended and major.
Whenever it happens, it is wrong and requires repentance.
We convert once in our lives. But we require repentance many times in our lives.
The more we’re willing to open up to others about our weaknesses and God’s restoring grace, the more the Gospel will be lifted up and the more that people will be drawn to Christ.
And that’s why the verse below spoke so clearly as to the potency of the restored believer’s testimony:
“However, the days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when people will no longer say, ‘As surely as the Lord lives, who brought the Israelites up out of Egypt,’ but they will say, ‘As surely as the Lord lives, who brought the Israelites up out of the land of the north and out of all the countries where he had banished them.’ For I will restore them to the land I gave their ancestors.” (Jeremiah 16:14-15)
The testimony of one restored from the dark days of rebellion and chastening into the peaceful, purposeful presence of the Lord has a powerful message to share regarding the restorative love of God.
Let’s open our hearts to the possibility of sharing a testimony about how God mercifully restored and strengthened us following a time a spiritual error.
This type of testimony just might reach far more people in the congregation who are long removed from their conversion experiences.
As always, I love you
Martin
