(submitted by Kerry Patton)
“But in your
hearts revere 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…” 1 Peter 3:15
The hymn “Amazing
Grace” was written by a former slave trader named John Newton in 1773. Newton had lived a life empty of religion,
but cried out to God to save him during a perilous storm in 1748. With that event marking his conversion,
Newton eventually ended his slave trading career in 1754 or 1755 and went on to
study Christian theology, becoming an ordained clergy in the Church of England
in 1764. He wrote “Amazing Grace” to
illustrate a sermon he was to preach on New Year’s Day of 1773. The song is
arguably the most popular hymn of the last two hundred years, estimated by
historian and biographer Jonathan Aitken to be performed some 10 million times
annually.
Most remarkable in
the lyrics, I believe, is the surprising spiritual depth that is expressed in
such simplistic terms. Perhaps it is
this reality that has endeared the song to so many millions across several
generations of Christians. Simple pairs of words cover volumes of understanding
and become an anthem of Christian gratitude and praise: “Amazing grace, how sweet the
sound that saved a wretch like me. I
once was lost, but now am found; was blind but now I see…” Amazing/grace,
sweet/sound, saved/wretch, lost/found, and blind/see. Juxtaposed words illustrate much larger
concepts of humanity’s nature of sin, our need for salvation, God’s provision
in Jesus’ sacrifice, and our hope eternal in heaven because of that provision.
By the Blood of the Lamb…and the Word of
Their Testimony
Revelation 12:11 speaks of those amazing followers of Christ
who have and/or who will endure great suffering during tribulation for the
cause of their faith: “They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the
word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink
from death.” “…and by the word of their testimony…” I’m drawn to that particular phrase. In the passage, John the Revelator describes
a great heavenly battle in which the devil himself, the accuser of the
brethren, is cast down to earth and now makes accusation against the children
of God both day and night. No longer
able to fight in the heavens, Satan takes his battle directly to the occupants
of the earth. And how is he
defeated?
·
By the blood of the Lamb, Jesus’ sacrifice at
Calvary, and…
·
By the word of the testimony of the disciple of
Jesus…spoken not only through his or her words in proclamation or profession,
but in their living of holy lives, by their patient sufferings, and faithful
service.
These testimonies
prove the Christian faith to be true and further prove that the accusations of
the devil are false. The blood of the
Lamb covered the ransom for sin, and the lives of the believers were lived as
proof of the faith. This was their
testimony.
We are in a very
real sense, each of us who follow Jesus – only two stories tall.
·
Story one: I was lost in my sins, blind to the
truth and understanding of God’s love; a wretch. Not a very kind description is it? A wretch...
A miserable condition no matter how you size it up. Romans 6:23 clarifies it further: “For the wages of sin is death…” Our
condition as wretches is so severe, that our reward is death. Period.
AND YET…there is a second story isn’t there.
·
Story two: I am now found! I am saved by the grace of God in the blood
of Jesus! My eyes are opened to understand the Word of God and his gospel.
I’ve had the chance
to hear many testimonies over the years of ministry. Some are very simple and unremarkable, and
others are very colorful…even shocking or surprising! Some of us have made some pretty remarkable
mistakes and choices, and others have passed through some very troubled
waters…but praise God for his mercy!
Bruce Wesson, one
of our precious senior members, recently passed away in Virginia, near his
daughter and grandchildren. He used to
live next door to me and I would visit with him; always finding him a
fascinating individual. Bruce had found
a career in the FBI under the administration of J. Edgar Hoover. Once I asked Bruce about his career… “I bet
you have some amazing stories to tell.”
Bruce’s gaze became very distant and he grew silent. After a moment, he spoke: “Let’s just say,
I’m so very glad to have Jesus on my side.”
Wow. Enough said. I didn’t press him any further. But you know, while I was impressed with the
part of Bruce’s story as an FBI agent, I was most impressed with him as a man
of Godly character and service. What a
remarkable man…and a great testimony!
Testimonies are
usually two part…or two stories tall:
There’s who I was and all the things I did, and then there’s who Jesus
is and what he did for me in his death and resurrection. Because of Jesus, I’m two stories tall…and so
are you.
Now, go and live
your testimony. Let others know why you
are two stories tall!
Prayer
Almighty God, help me as I write today’s
chapter of my testimony. Let me live in
such a way as to bring you glory and prove to others that my faith is
true. Oh let me not bring disgrace to
you or to the faith, but work your will and way in me. To the honor and glory of thy name, I pray, Amen.
Scripture
to Claim
But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard." Acts 4:19-20 NASB
But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard." Acts 4:19-20 NASB
