Title or Testimony?

Post language:　＜English＞

2009/2/25

“Title or Testimony?”

A pastor from another church in America came to our church on Sunday and gave us a very encouraging message. I think this not only applies to Christians, but other friends as well.

What is more important in your life?

　Your title, or your testimony ?

Titles in this context mean, the positions that you have, the things that you have succeeded in doing. Things like college degrees and positions on your regime.

Those things I must say are also important in this world.

But those things only last for a certain amount of time.

Let me change the question then.

HOW do you want to be remembered?

By your title, or by affecting other people’s lives and being a part of their lives?

Having a testimony in the Christian context means, to have an experience that you can talk about that shows your relationship with God and how great He is. 

But what is so important about a testimony?

　The great thing is, having a testimony does not boast about what I have done or what you have accomplished.
Rather, it shows the unexplainable things that God has done in our lives and how He can do the same in others’ lives.

People remember a testimony because it may have changed their lives. 

The other power behind testimonies I think is becoming a part of another person’s life.

When you tell your testimony to another person, God kind of makes a bridge between you and that person.

I guess the essence of titles and testimonies lies in the next few bible verses:

1 Corinthians 13:1~3

“What if I could speak all languages of humans and of angel? If I did not love others, I would be nothing more than a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

What if I could prophesy and understand all secrets and all knowledge? And what if I had faith that moves mountains?

I would be nothing unless I loved others.

What if I gave away all that I owned and let myself be burned alive? I would gain nothing unless I loved others. “

So when the pastor said, testimonies, more than titles…

It does not mean that you should not do anything to change the way things are or you should not try your best to get to a higher stage in life.

It is just that, what shows outside and on your regime does not have the same value unless your heart is there.

That is what completes the bridge that God starts to create between people I guess.

And I cannot do that without the help of God that softens my heart everyday.

Have a great day everyone.