In one of our dgroup sessions, my discipler pointed out the value of one’s testimony. I remember him saying these words: “Testimonies are not only unexplainable, they are also undeniable.”
The transformed life of the Christian must be characterized as such. At some point we find people who will challenge what we believe, pitting it against their own belief system in a philosophical debate. Whatever the motive, we will often be pushed against the wall; demanded for an explanation for the faith that we confess – that God exists, and that He is good, is a truth that remains unacceptable, even repulsive, to most modern minds.
I’ve read one comment by an atheist in a Christian blog site entry recently. He pointed out in his comment that the God of the bible is nothing more than a fantasy. His contention was anchored at the notion that the bible was written by man, and for one to believe in a God that is found in the pages of a man-made book would imply that he, too, could become god if he writes a book claiming that he is.
He then continues his point by stating that he’d rather believe that which is logical or that which can be proven by empirical evidence rather than something he considers a flight of human imagination. On a separate occasion, I’ve also heard another story of a person who tried to prove the non-existence of God through an experiment – praying the same prayer to God and to a toy dinosaur, and evaluating the results – concluding that the toy dinosaur answered more of his prayers than God, implying that there is no God.
Though we can engage in endless philosophical discussions against such views, we would only find ourselves enraging their proponents by taking an adversarial stance – attacking their philosophy and declaring them wrong in their thinking. I personally believe that living a life pleasing to God is more effective than any theological argument. In one of his messages, I’ve heard Ravi Zacharias say, “The Christian life is the greatest apologetic.” I believe he is right. Those who do not know the God of the bible or refuse to accept that He exists are compelled to explain something inexplicable presented before them.
They may deny the existence of God, but they cannot deny the Christian’s existence and the transformation that has taken place and is taking place in his life. They may be uninterested to know about God, but they will somehow find themselves asking why the Christian lives the way he does. Our testimony becomes an evidence of the His existence, sovereignty, goodness and love. Like the man who was blind at birth professing before the Pharisees, our lives must be unexplainable and yet irrefutable to those who examine it apart from the truth of a loving God.
He then answered, “Whether He is a sinner, I do not know; one thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” – John 9:25
In his letter, Paul’s instruction to Timothy was to live a life that is pleasing to God – to live out the faith he has proclaimed in the midst of an observing crowd.
“But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” – 1Timothy 6:11-12
We might just be the only Gospel people will ever read. And in reflection I ask myself, “How undeniable is Jesus in my life?”