"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander." -- 1 Peter 3:15-16.
When I had meditated upon this verse, some 5-6 months back, I understood that one day, when I declare to the world that I am born again in Jesus Christ, there would be many (MANY) questions, since I am from a Hindu background, and that I must be prepared to give a reason such that its not only acceptable but also glorifies the Lord. But I had always ignored it, thinking that I would not come across such a situation (I seriously don't know why I assumed this!)
But yesterday my friend(a Christian) asked me 2 things:
1) To share my testimony.
2) How could I leave the Hindu gods to whom I had prayed ever since I had started praying, and follow Jesus Christ?
The second question was easy to answer. I am sure that everyone who knows and feels the everlasting last peace of Christ, His love, His assurance, His protection, His grace, His mercies and His miracles in their everyday life, would also agree to this. The answer is very obvious, and I have already answered it (BTW there is a reason that I have put miracles at the end. Still wondering?).
But the first question really put me into thought. I shared my testimony with her; but I wasn't satisfied with what I had said or how I had said it. I felt that it was an indication from Lord that its high time now and that I should be prepared to share my testimony confidently, without any fear and with praises to the Lord, so that my non-believer family members and friends would know the Lord in all His glory.
Now I understand how important a testimony is, not only to a believer but also to his/her non-believer circle. It has the power to bring belief to a non-believer and to bring back believers who had gone away from the Lord back to the Him. I believe that as I grow stronger in the Lord, He will use me as His instrument, and when I share my testimony, I will speak His Words so that He may be glorified.
When I had meditated upon this verse, some 5-6 months back, I understood that one day, when I declare to the world that I am born again in Jesus Christ, there would be many (MANY) questions, since I am from a Hindu background, and that I must be prepared to give a reason such that its not only acceptable but also glorifies the Lord. But I had always ignored it, thinking that I would not come across such a situation (I seriously don't know why I assumed this!)
But yesterday my friend(a Christian) asked me 2 things:
1) To share my testimony.
2) How could I leave the Hindu gods to whom I had prayed ever since I had started praying, and follow Jesus Christ?
The second question was easy to answer. I am sure that everyone who knows and feels the everlasting last peace of Christ, His love, His assurance, His protection, His grace, His mercies and His miracles in their everyday life, would also agree to this. The answer is very obvious, and I have already answered it (BTW there is a reason that I have put miracles at the end. Still wondering?).
But the first question really put me into thought. I shared my testimony with her; but I wasn't satisfied with what I had said or how I had said it. I felt that it was an indication from Lord that its high time now and that I should be prepared to share my testimony confidently, without any fear and with praises to the Lord, so that my non-believer family members and friends would know the Lord in all His glory.
Now I understand how important a testimony is, not only to a believer but also to his/her non-believer circle. It has the power to bring belief to a non-believer and to bring back believers who had gone away from the Lord back to the Him. I believe that as I grow stronger in the Lord, He will use me as His instrument, and when I share my testimony, I will speak His Words so that He may be glorified.
WOW!! just fantastic!!
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