Bearing a Consistent Testimony

4:9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

The things we teach and say must be consistent with the things we do. Paul was able to say that they had not only heard the gospel from him, but seen it in him.

"For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness— nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ we might have asserted our authority. But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children. Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives , because you had become very dear to us. For you recall, brethren, our labor and hardship, how working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers; just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children, so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory." (1Thes.2:5-12)

We also need to be able to present a consistent testimony of the reality of Christ in our lives. We must preach the gospel with our words, but we must also preach it with our lives. If we are not living demonstrations of the truth and power of the gospel, by our graciousness, self-control and purity, then our lives will undo what our verbal witness might have done. If you really believe in the power of Christ to forgive sins and transform lives, then prove it by the way it transforms your life.

This doesn’t come by merely acting righteous or by hiding our sin. It comes by repentance and reformation, which only the Holy Spirit can produce.

"I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. " (Phil.4:13)

Almighty Father, forgive me that my life has in so many ways contradicted the truth of the gospel. I have lived for myself. I have sought earthly treasures. I have been fascinated and captivated by the wrong things. I have sought human admiration and approval. Move in me, Lord. Overpower my sinful tendencies by the power of Your Spirit. Father, please make me a man whose life displays Your power and Your glory. Teach me to trust; teach me to fear no man. Teach me to love as Jesus loved.