Testify to Grace

…prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-- the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace. Acts 20:22-24 (NIV)

In Acts 21-22, Paul was confronted by a situation that would discourage, if not defeat, most of us. He was beaten, bound in chains and carried by soldiers to the barracks where he was to stand trial against false accusations by the Jews. He demonstrated unyielding confidence in God as he requested permission to speak before the crowd and then presented his testimony. He was not fearful, bitter or angry. Paul could have stood before the mobs of hateful people and testified against them…pointing out their own sin and condemning them for judging him falsely. Contrary, Paul spoke with humility and respect, identifying common ground (Acts 21:3).

Most of us do not respond to our ‘accusers’ with humility and respect. Some of us defensively argue back with harsh words or harbor feelings of resentment, anger and hatred in our hearts when someone confronts us, offends us or seems to stand in the way of God’s will being accomplished (as Paul could have complained of his captors). Others of us may respond with indifference and just “shrug it off”. But Peter tells us in 1 Peter 3:15-16 …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. (NIV, emphasis added) Paul was prepared to answer his persecutors…and he did so with gentleness and respect.

In Philippians 3:8-9, Paul said, “I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ-the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.” (NIV) Paul considered everything he endured as nothing compared to the task of testifying to the gospel of grace, even being locked up in chains. Everything we say and do, in good times as well as bad, communicates either grace or animosity to the world (or possibly indifference). As Christ’s followers, we have been set apart to testify to God’s grace through our words and actions. We will face circumstances that test our willingness to consider our own agendas or dignity as loss compared to the “surpassing greatness of knowing Christ”. As we respond to the persecutors in our lives with kindness, forgiveness and love, our lives become a testimony to the gospel of God’s grace, and through us, others may come to know God’s grace personally.

©2009 by Stephanie French.