The Best Testimony

At some time after you became a Christian, you were probably challenged to work on your testimony just in case you have the opportunity to share it. This is really good.  Paul tells us to "Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season." Likewise, Peter challenges believers to always be "prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you." It makes perfect sense to me that our testimony of  how Jesus saved us is definitely part of being "ready" and being "prepared."  Most of us were taught that our testimony should follow a simple outline something like this: 1)Our life before Christ 2) How we met Christ and 3) How our life has changed since meeting Christ.  I never really knew it before this morning, but that outline isn't just something we made up.  Paul, gives us pretty much the exact outline in Galatians 1:22-24.  It says,

"And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ.  They only were hearing it said, 'He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.'  And they glorified God because of me." 

Did you see the simple outline? It's pretty close to the one I listed.  Paul used to be a murderer, but now he is actively preaching the faith of those he murdered.  That's a pretty powerful testimony.  There are a couple of pretty cool differences though.  Did you notice that Paul didn't give his own testimony?  This is what others were saying about him.  His life had changed so much that people had to take notice.  Also, his life change was so great that others gave God glory because of it.  I am in no way insinuating that our testimony about ourselves is not important.  Paul clearly gave his own testimony throughout Acts.  But, what really stands out to me as application is: Have those around me seen Jesus change my life? Has my wife seen more of Jesus in me since we got married? Since last year? Since last week? Do my co-workers? My kids? My neighbors? Other believers?  Does my presence in their lives move them to glorify God?  

So, my verbal testimony is biblical and needed, but can other people see my testimony(Jesus!) before I even tell them? 

Travis