Preach the gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words.
St. Francis of Assisi
Paul says in Ephesians 4:1 to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received. As Christians, we have been adopted into the family and the kingdom of God. This is no small thing. Being one of God’s children and therefore one of His ambassadors to the world is the highest calling a human can receive. Sadly, this reality is not usually regarded in this way. St. Francis of Assisi said when necessary to use words to proclaim the good news of Jesus, but that is provided you are living a life that shouts out that Jesus is LORD. This requires being a walking testimony of God’s salvation.
How we live our lives speaks volumes to those around us. The way we present ourselves to the world around us has more impact than most would like to realize. We’ve all had our bad days of not being our best selves. But being known as a person who is ill-tempered, rude, impolite, uncaring, or otherwise not considerate of others is not Christ-like. Who we are on Sunday morning should be the same person we are on any other day that ends in “Y.”
A Walking Testimony Means Our Reputation Goes Before Us
Being a walking testimony means that what people know about you precedes anything they see about you in-person. When we are focused on being the people before others that Jesus asked us to be, we are mindful of what others experience about being around us. Being a walking testimony means we are reminded that we are a sign of God’s work in our lives.
The impression that people get when they are around us is what stays with them the longest. When someone has a bad experience with one Christian, they tend to feel that way about most Christians thereafter. It is for this reason that we can ill afford to be relaxed about how we treat people around us.
The entire chapter of Ephesians chapter 4, is a recipe of what it means to walk in a manner worthy of the calling we have received. One of the things we should be known for, according to Paul, is to live peacefully among other people as much as it is possible. If you think about it, that is a hard request. We might have a fine time living peacefully with people we like or our friends. We are also called to live this way with people we don’t gel with.
Jesus Knows What It Means To Walk Among The Unworthy
Those of us who are mindful of being a walking testimony will find that there are many times where we will have to do so in what feels like a minefield of opposition. When we focus on being Christ-like, we’ll no doubt feel that there is someone who is doing everything possible to trip us up in our walk. There is.
Being the one that everyone points to as evidence of Christ’s love is a big responsibility. But Jesus knows how that feels. He bore the full representation of the Father on His shoulders as He fulfilled His purpose here on earth to save us from ourselves. The weight was more than any of us could bear, so He had to carry it for us.
When we feel like trying to be a good Christian gets too much, we have to remember who is doing it with us. Jesus carries our burdens. He makes living a Christian life easier if we ask Him to help us.
There is a world of hurting people out there desperately in need of Jesus’s love and salvation. They need to hear this good news from you because you are uniquely equipped with a testimony that will speak to them. God wants your testimony to feel like a privilege, and a ransom paid for your freedom. God wants others to know their pain and their suffering don’t have to be tragically dragged behind them through life anymore.
Being A Walking Testimony Means Traveling Light
Being a walking testimony means being ready to share your story with others as the need arises. Psalm 40 is the recipe for a testimony, and it also explains what to do with it once we have it. Read through the chapter. Does your life look like this recipe? Are you singing the songs of salvation to others as you go about your day? If not, ask God where those places are in your heart that needs healing. Ask Him where you are still not free. You will find that walking through life is a little easier if you ask Jesus to carry your burdens for you. All you have to do is ask.