"Testimonials?"

Personal testimonies are becoming more and more common place in the religious arena, especially in the assemblies. People want to speak about the wonderful things that God has done for them. They "testify" to power changing moments in their lives and some of the stories are moving. It brings excitement and an experience like none other. Is this really good? Is this what we need to be doing? It all depends on whom you ask. Some say there is nothing wrong with this as it excites people to hear that God is working and alive. Others do not know what to think and still others are left feeling like they and God are so far apart, that nothing could bring them together because they have never had such experiences. I recently had someone suggest to me that I need to have personal testimonies on my radio program to help get the community to see God at work.

When one is honest with Scripture, we do not find personal testimonies, even though Paul at times went through some of his life experiences. He had to because of his former life as a persecutor and his life as an apostle. Some people were having difficulty believing he could be a preacher and an apostle. Please read carefully and listen: no recounting of one's personal experiences brought anyone to the Lord! I sure haven't found it in Scriptures. When Paul was at Corinth with all their parading their favorite preacher, Paul reminded them,"And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified." (I Cor. 2:1-2) He proclaimed the testimony of God! And what was that testimony? Jesus Christ and Him crucified! Paul later reminds them, "For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord..." (II Cor. 4:5) The brethren at Colossae were taught that everything was about Jesus and Him alone. Just read the first chapter. Christ was the mystery of God and the riches of knowing "Christ in you, the hope of glory" was what was preached! (Col. 1:27) Paul said that it is Christ that is proclaimed and taught to every man (Col. 1:28). It is in Jesus that all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden (Col. 2:3). We are instructed to walk in Christ, rooted and established in Him (Col. 2:6-7). What does all this teach us? There is no room to teach us or proclaim anything about us! The power of God and the wisdom of God are found in Christ and proclaiming Him.

No one will ever find a relationship with the Lord based on some man or woman's personal testimony. There is no power in man. While stories may move our emotions, faith cannot be built! When people face extreme difficulties in their lives, I have never had one person share with me, "This is difficult but I remember so and so and their personal experience they shared is helping me get through this!" People long and look for the true answers only found in Christ. They need assurance from the Lord. It might do us good to rethink what we are promoting and listening to and then see why so many lives are lived with few real answers. God placed all of Himself in Jesus which means if we look or promote anyone besides Him, our lives will become nothing more than an emotional roller coaster, always needing the next man-made thing to prop us up only to let us down in time of need.