(The following is the April 11 devotional from my Next Step Devotions book. Before reading it, I suggest you read John 4 and pay close attention to verses 28-30 and 39-42.)
Besides the Word of God itself, our faith testimony will frequently be our most powerful tool in sharing the gospel. Nearly everyone loves a heartfelt, first-person story of someone’s experience. Likewise, we enjoy sharing our positive and negative experiences with others.
When telling people about Jesus, there is tremendous power in sharing how Christ changed our lives and what it means to live in a right relationship with him. Admitting how you have failed can also be powerful. The Samaritan woman at the well did this after her conversation with Jesus. Jesus told her many things she had done (v. 29). After talking with him, she was so excited she left her water jars behind, ran to the city, and told others about him. She was a woman looked down on by society because of her questionable morals and marital history. Would anyone listen to her? Even if no one listened, she was determined to tell everyone she met about Jesus.
“Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of what the woman said” (v. 39). Others responded by going to Jesus and hearing him for themselves, which led to their belief. Some later told her, “We no longer believe because of what you said, since we have heard for ourselves and know that this really is the Savior of the world” (v. 42).
It should encourage us that one outcast’s testimony of being with Jesus led to many others seeking and finding him. She had no standing in society and no benefit from formal learning. She had made a mess of her life before meeting Jesus. But when she met him, what a difference he made. She had to tell her story, and so must we.
Next Step:
When did you last share your testimony about your relationship with Christ? Consider what your life was like before you met Christ, how you came to know him, and what difference he has made and continues to make in your life daily. Share that with someone soon.
Comments