THE TESTIMONIAL CODE
Memorise: Let your light so shine before men, that
they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 5:16
Read: Matthew 5:13-16; Bible in one year: Judges
3:7-4:24; Job 39:13-25
A testimonial is an official report about the
abilities, qualities and character of somebody. It is often written by a formal
employer or the head of an academic institution where the person has studied.
Sometimes, a person is given an opportunity not because of his credentials or
qualifications, but based on his testimonial. This is also applicable to us
Christians. We also have a testimonial by which we are judged. A testimonial
could be written in a coded language that only an intending employer can
decode. What may seem harmless to you in your testimonial may signal danger to
another person reading it. Sometimes ago, I came across my own testimonial at Ilesha grammar school
while searching for some documents. What my principal wrote about my character
seemed like he was prophesying because he described me as “cool, calm and collected”.
I am not quite sure I had those qualities back then. The qualities Jesus
outlined for us in today’s Bible reading constitute the code of our
testimonial.
The Lord first testimony about you is that you are a
child of God. Galatians 3:26 says:
“For ye are all the children
of God by faith in Christ Jesus.”
What is said about you is your recommendation to the
world. When our brethren applied for jobs in those days and the employers were
considering giving them sensitive positions, they would come to the late
founder of the church (The Redeemed Christian Church of God) to get his
recommendation about the applicant. Our father-in-the-Lord usually described
the applicant as a Christian or as a child of God. If you have sincerely given
your life to Jesus, the voice of your testimonial is that you are a child of
God. The testimonial of a child of God has special significance. We are called
kings and priests in Revelation 1:6. A child of God is a chosen one. He or she
is a saint, a holy person and a peculiar person, and is therefore uniquely
different. The child of God is the salt of the earth, the arrester of decay and
preserver of what is good. As salt, you are to be the end of corruption
wherever you are. Jesus expects us to
prove Him right by living according to His description of us. All the
descriptions and titles he bestowed on us are guaranteed by Him. Written a
testimonial is a risk because people base their judgment on what they know
about the writer of the testimonial. Jesus demands that we prove Him right. We
should not embarrass Him or put Him to shame by living contrary to His
testimonial about us. We should earn our testimonial by a life conformed to His
specifications.
Prayer Point;
Lord, everywhere your descriptions of me have been
questioned, please forgive me.
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