How can we ensure our testimonies reflect God's work, as in Galatians 1:24? Anchoring our testimony in Galatians 1:24 “ ‘And they glorified God because of me.’ ” Paul’s life change was so unmistakably the Lord’s doing that praise naturally flowed to God, not to Paul. That becomes our model. Seeing the Pattern in Paul’s Example • Former persecutor ➜ passionate preacher (Galatians 1:13–16) • Message received “not from man” but by revelation of Jesus Christ (v. 12) • Humble submission to the apostles to confirm the gospel’s accuracy (vv. 18–19) • No self-promotion—only God’s grace on display (1 Corinthians 15:10) Key Principles for a God-Glorifying Testimony • Christ-centered, not self-centered (2 Corinthians 4:5) • Rooted in Scripture’s accuracy (Psalm 119:46; 1 Peter 1:23) • Evident transformation that others can see (Acts 4:13; Galatians 2:20) • Clear acknowledgment of grace, not personal merit (Ephesians 2:8–9) • Bearing fruit consistent with the Spirit’s work (Galatians 5:22–23) Practical Steps to Shape and Share Your Story 1. Recall the Before ➜ Encounter ➜ After pattern. • Before: honest picture of life in sin (Ephesians 2:1–3). • Encounter: how the gospel confronted and rescued you (Romans 10:17). • After: new desires, habits, and hope (2 Corinthians 5:17). 2. Weave in specific Scripture that spoke life into you. 3. Keep the focus on what God did, not how clever or determined you were (1 Corinthians 1:31). 4. Speak plainly; rely on the Spirit’s power rather than polished words (1 Corinthians 2:1–5). 5. Highlight ongoing dependence—salvation and sanctification are both God’s work (Philippians 1:6). Guardrails Against Self-Centered Storytelling • Avoid exaggeration; truth alone carries divine authority (Proverbs 30:6). • Resist the urge to compare stories—God’s grace operates uniquely in each life (John 21:22). • Steer clear of boasting in sin’s details; glorify the Deliverer, not the darkness (Ephesians 5:11–12). • Regularly examine motives: Is God’s fame or personal applause the goal? (Jeremiah 17:9–10). • Remain teachable and accountable within the local church (Hebrews 10:24–25). The Ongoing Impact of a Christ-Centered Witness • Encourages believers—“They glorified God” echoes in every era (Galatians 1:24). • Draws the lost—“Let your light shine…that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). • Overcomes the enemy—“They conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony” (Revelation 12:11). • Magnifies grace—each story becomes fresh evidence that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). |
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