S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

The "testimony for Jesus" in view here would be a lifestyle and words that openly acknowledge our personal experience of following Jesus Christ. A testimony must be public because its purpose is to...

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November 21 2013 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeremiah Kaaya Supporter Pastor at Springs of Power Church, Teacher by professional

I believe the first thing to do here is to define what a testimony is. A testimony is the outcome of having successfully passed a test. 

To say that our lives should be a testimony for Jesus is only based on what Jesus did. Jesus put on human flesh and came on earth, solely to set man free of sin by shameful death on the cross. How this sacrifice shapes us (when we have accepted and allowed Jesus into our lives), is what we should call; living our lives as a testimony for Jesus. Not accepting Him (Jesus), should be another matter altogether.

In the Old Testament times, sacrifices were done once a year, at Jerusalem. They required animals (only those sanctioned in scripture), done only by a sanctioned priest who would go to the Holy of Holies. This exercise had to be done routinely; year after year. A peace sacrifice would not apply for a sin sacrifice. Such requirements would have been too much for many of us, we would have surely ended up in hell. But when Jesus came, He changed the status quo. Jesus’ sacrifice applies everywhere, to everyone. His blood flows endlessly, everywhere. With the sacrifice of Jesus, all have access to God, only need to accept and confess the powerful name of Jesus. This should be good enough for all of us who accept and confess CHRIST as Lord and Savior, to live lives that reflect the effectiveness of the wonderful sacrifice of Jesus.


Man had been separated from God by sin and was awash in it with no hope by any self means to overcome it. There had been no holistic sacrifice as that offered by Jesus on the cross. The blood of animals only covered on sin with no enough cleansing power as does the blood of Jesus. The glory of animals could not measure up to the glory of man. Yet the blood of animals at least covered upon sin because it is at least cleaner than that of man. Animals do not sin and therefore their blood is acceptable as lesser a sacrifice, only to cover upon, not to cleanse away. God's plan was; not only to cover upon, but to cleanse away altogether, all sin. The sacrifice of Jesus therefore was the only remaining assured option to set man free of sin. The blood of Jesus was required because in it there is no sin. His glory is over and far above that of man. His sacrifice would perfectly be acceptable. In it is enough power to cleanse us of all sin.

Additionally, the knowledge of the true God had been only limited to the Israelites, when Jesus came, He commanded that all nations should be brought to the knowledge of God, all Gentiles inclusive (Matthew 28:19). Especially to us the Gentiles, failure to live our lives as a testimony for Jesus, is aggravated betrayal and severely punishable by spiritual death.


In Jesus, we have a priceless opportunity to live anew (2Corinthians 5:17). When we are set free of sin, it tells the effectiveness of the sacrifice of Jesus. Our new precious lives therefore become a testimony for Jesus. On the other hand though, if we accept and allow Jesus into our lives, but continue to willingly dwell in sin, we are only abusing this sacrifice. We are only trying to imply it was not sacrifice enough for us to live free of sin. As if we are appealing for a better sacrifice, which there is not! Jesus' is the only sacrifice to be accepted because He is/was God. If not, what then would it call for besides the blood of God? With Jesus, you can't fail, if you do, you have only failed yourself and you are only doomed to hell! To be a testimony for Jesus is to follow in His footsteps when you have accepted and allowed Him (Jesus) into your life (Matthew 5:13-16). When we live our lives after the life of Jesus, we are glorifying God. It is a testimony that Jesus' is perfect and effective a sacrifice. Accepting and allowing Him into one's life is a project worth taking. We will have lived our lives as perfectly as we should. We begin to bear fruit (Galatians 5:22). We will then be able to pull many to Jesus, to the glory of the Father.

May 31 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

What does it mean that our lives should be a testimony for Jesus?

That our lives should be a testimony for Jesus means living in a way that reflects His teachings, sharing our personal experiences with Him, and demonstrating His goodness, love, and power through our actions and words, ultimately pointing others to Him. It's about living out the "fruits of the Spirit" (Galatians 5:22-23), such as love, joy, peace, and kindness, and glorifying God by allowing Him to transform our lives, showing the world that following Jesus is a worthy path. 

1: Following Jesus' Example: Living like Jesus, showing love for God and others, being merciful, meek, and pure in heart, and enduring suffering as He did.

2: Demonstrating God's Goodness: Through actions like caring for the sick, helping the oppressed, and living righteously, you prove God's faithfulness and grace.

3: Living Out Your Faith: Aligning your daily conduct with your beliefs, showing others that Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection are real and powerful, and overcoming challenges with faith.

4: Glorifying God: The ultimate goal is to bring glory to Jesus by making Him known and showing He is Lord, proving that a life surrendered to Him is meaningful and effective. 

5: It means your whole life becomes a living sermon, testifying to the transformative power and reality of Jesus Christ to everyone around you. 

6: Living your life as a "testimony" for Jesus means that your daily actions, words, and attitudes serve as public evidence of His transformative power and character. It is the practice of being a "living epistle"—a letter read by everyone you encounter that points toward God.

Jesus left us a model to follow closely. Read 1 Peter 2:21 ESV: "For hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow his steps."

The Greek Word translated "model" literally means "underwriting." The apostle Peter is the only writer of the Christian Greek Scriptures to use this Word, which is said to mean “a copyhead" in a child's exercise book, a perfect piece of writing which the child is to imitate as precisely as it can.

What does it mean to follow someone's footsteps? In the Bible, the words "walk" and "feet" at times refer to a person's course of life. (Gen. 6:9; Prov. 4:26) The example a person sets may be compared to footprints, or footsteps, that he leaves behind as he walks. So to follow someone's footsteps means to follow his example, to imitate him.

What, then, does it mean to follow Jesus' footsteps? Put simply, it means to imitate his example. In our theme text, the apostle Peter explicitly comments on the fine example Jesus set by enduring suffering; however, there are many other ways we can imitate Jesus. (1 Pet. 2:18-25) Really, Jesus' entire life course​—everything he said and did—​is an example for us to follow.

But, as imperfect humans, can we really follow Jesus' example? Yes, we can. Recall that Peter urges us "to follow [Jesus'] steps closely”—not perfectly. If we follow his footsteps carefully, doing the best we can as imperfect humans, we will be heeding the apostle John's words: "Go on walking just as that one [Jesus] walked."​—1 John 2:6.

Before we can closely follow Jesus' footsteps, we must come to know him. (Read John 17:3.) 

To help us come to know his Son, Jehovah lovingly included the four Gospels in his Word. The Gospels contain a historical account of the life and ministry of Jesus. That account tells us what Jesus said, shows us what he did, and reveals to us how he felt. These four books help us to "consider closely" the example of Jesus.

Our most outstanding example of faith is Jesus. Hebrews 12:2: ESV - "Looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

4 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report