FRIDAY November 12, 2021
An Effective Testimony
“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb [Christ] and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.”
Revelation 12:11
Suffering, as seen in the life of the Apostle Paul and many other of Christ’s disciples, caused their testimony to be effective––even more so in the face of death. Christians are encouraged in their faith by these strong and fearless witnesses.
When Christians suffer for the name of Christ, God has devised a plan to use their lives for His glory. When people see what they go through, they know, without a doubt, these men and women have become chosen vessels of honor for Jesus Christ. The marks of suffering in their lives become a powerful and effective testimony. Others observe their peace that passes understanding, and the immense joy they have in the midst of their trials. This kind of testimony causes nonbelievers to want to know the God that these Christians serve. They want to know Him themselves.
Paul made a long record of his sufferings that he endured in his life. Throughout all these trials, Paul was never alone––God was with him. He knew these things happened to him to bring glory to Jesus Christ:
...I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness—besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches (2 Corinthians 11:23-28).
No matter how dark this world becomes, no matter how fierce the persecution you face, continue to be a bold witness for Christ.
The best moment of a Christian’s life is his last one, because it is the one that is nearest heaven.
~C. H. Spurgeon~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
