LIVING AS A TESTIMONY FOR JESUS

What is a testimony.

A testimony is the evidence or proof provided by the existence or appearance of something. Or rather the evidence of having tested or undersgone something.

There are two forms of testimony:

• Testimony of what the Lord Jesus has done for us (Luke 8:39), (2Timothy 1:8-9).

• Testimony for what we become in Jesus Christ. Rather when we become exemplary to the rest because of how our submission to Christ has shaped us (Matthew 10:32), (1Peter 3:15-16), (1John 5:11), (Revelation 12:11). 

 Living as a testimony for Jesus

To live a life as a testimony for Jesus is a way we could liken a person who is looking in the mirror. What do you see when you look in the mirror? Now suppose you are looking at Jesus as the mirror, what do you see? 

In this perspective, we look at Jesus as the mirror and then we can see how we do appear in reflection, with Jesus as the standard measure. For just like a mirror gives the true image of someone, so it is that if we focus on Jesus as the mirror, it is then that we know if we are living our lives as a testimony for Him or not. 

Yet much as a mirror will give you the exact image of who you are, in Jesus as the mirror, you may not get the same. For if we look in Jesus as the mirror, the mirror who is but Jesus will give us the image which either is like or Him or something else. And if Jesus as the mirror gives another image that is not Him, then we are not living a life as a testimony of Him (Jesus). For it is Jesus who makes the better of us (2Corinthians 3:18). This is that we must not only testify, but we must be the testimony as proof of the Jesus in us.

In brief terms, to live a life as a testimony for Jesus is to be like Jesus. Rather to acquire the character of Jesus Christ. And if we acquire the character of Jesus, it pretty much testifies that Jesus is real. 

Jesus put on human flesh and came on earth, solely to remit  man of sin. He (Jesus) died shamefully on the cross purposely for this. How this sacrifice shapes us (when we submit to Jesus), is what we should call; living our lives as a testimony for Jesus. Not accepting Him (Jesus), should be another matter altogether.

And this is not about what position one may be. It is not about those so craven for titles as bishop, pastor, apostle or anything of that kind. Neither is it about the so craven for political titles as president, vice president, speaker, minister or whatever.This is a matter about submission to Jesus Christ.

The case of sacrifices in the Old Testament

In the Old Testament times, sacrifices were done once a year at Jerusalem. They required animals (only those sanctioned in scripture). It was done only by a sanctioned priest who would go to the Holy of Holies. This exercise had to be done routinely; year after year. 

One of the key requirements of this exercise was that a peace sacrifice would not apply for a sin sacrifice. There was a sacrifice for every single issue. But when Jesus came, He changed this arrangement. Jesus' one sacrifice is whole and holistic. For these requirements would have been too much for many of us. We would have surely ended up eternally condemned.

The blood of Jesus flows endlessly, everywhere. With the sacrifice of Jesus, all have access to God, you only need to accept and confess the powerful name of Jesus. This should be good enough for all of us who submit to CHRIST as Lord and Savior. We should live the way that reflects the effectiveness of the wonderful sacrifice of Jesus.

Man had been separated from God by sin and was awash in it with no hope by any self means to overcome it. There had been no holistic sacrifice as that offered by Jesus on the cross. The blood of animals only covered on sin with no enough cleansing power as does the blood of Jesus. 

Yet the glory of animals could not measure up to the glory of man. But the blood of animals at least covered upon sin because it is at least cleaner than that of man. Animals are innocent and therefore their blood is acceptable as lesser a sacrifice, but only to cover upon, not to cleanse away. 

Yet God's grand plan was; not only to cover upon, but to cleanse away altogether, all sin. The sacrifice of Jesus therefore was the only remaining assured option to set man free of sin. The blood of Jesus was required because in it there is no sin. Jesus is God and His glory is way far over and above. His sacrifice is readily acceptable and perfectly fitting. In it is enough power to cleanse us of all sin.

The Knowledge about the only true God

The knowledge about the only true God was only limited to the Israelites. But when Jesus came, He commanded that all nations should be brought to the knowledge of God, all Gentiles inclusive (Matthew 28:19). If therefore we deny to live our lives as a testimony for Jesus Christ, it should be aggravated betrayal and severely punishable by eternal death.

In Jesus, we have a priceless opportunity to live anew (2 Corinthians 5:17). When we are set free of sin, it tells the effectiveness of the sacrifice of Jesus. Our new precious lives therefore become a testimony for Jesus.

On the other hand, though, if we submit to Jesus, but continue to willingly and consciously dwell in sin, we are only abusing this sacrifice. We are only trying to imply it was not sacrifice enough for us to live free of sin. As if we are appealing for a better sacrifice, which there is not (Hebrews 10:26)! Jesus' is the only sacrifice to be accepted because He (Jesus) is God. 

If not, what then would it call for besides the blood of God? With Jesus, you can't fail. If you do, you have only failed yourself and you are condemned!  Jesus is coming back again, this time not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him (Hebrews 9:28). That I have submitted my life to Christ, it becomes no longer mine, but the one of Jesus Christ. And that is that no more of me and it is all of Jesus (Galatians 2:20).

To be a testimony for Jesus is to keep learning from Him when you submit to Him (Matthew 5:13-16). For Jesus is our perfect example.

When we live our lives after the life of Jesus, we are glorifying God. It is a testimony that Jesus' is perfect and effective a sacrifice. And this does pretty testify that submission to Him is a project worth taking. We will have lived our lives as perfectly as we should. We begin to bear fruit (Galatians 5:22). With this, it is a way we pull many to Jesus. To the glory of the Father.