Unashamed

There is a misconception in the mind of many believers that there is such a thing as weakening your testimony. I have come to believe that there is only such a thing as a weakened reputation. Although, yes, you as a believer should be living a life of godliness, when you mess up, your testimony is not at all weakened. If you own your mistake and repent, you strengthen your testimony reminding yourself of God's daily renewing grace in your life and reminding others that you are still a sinner in need of Christ every single day. If you decide to continue in that sin the only thing that suffers is your reputation because you have yet to turn from that specific sin but your testimony is still in tact thanks to God's grace not being reliant upon what we do.

[28] And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. [29] My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

John 10:28-29

Your testimony is a constantly written story of God's active grace in your life. You are never going to reach a moment of perfection but each day God's mercies are new and you are newly freed from the shame of your past and present sin. You will never run out of God's grace in your life. For this reason, when sharing your testimony, do not fear a ruined reputation due to things of your past or present. God's grace has covered every sin. When sharing your testimony, fear a lack of humility to share what God's grace has covered in your life.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end.

Lamentations 3:22

Humility, when it comes to sharing your testimony comes with vulnerability and not allowing your shame to get the best of you. As a redeemed image-bearer you are free from the shame that once controlled you. You are free to live in the light of God's grace each day instead of a shame of your past and present sin. The grace He sent His son to pay the price for is the same grace that gives you freedom from shame and a hope for a more Christlike life. God's gift of salvation is more than a gift on your day of rebirth. It is a life-giving gift you are given daily. It is a gift of hope to all who hear your story.

The gift of salvation is how your story becomes life-giving, hope-giving, and ultimately the best tale of Gods constantly present abounding grace in the world today. Your tesitimony, with humility, is grown into a longer list of God's grace in your life. I like to call it God's "Mountains of Grace" in your life and mine. I can look back on my life and see the mountains God has helped me climb, the sin He covered, and the things He used to grow and mature me so far. God's mountains of grace in my life are my reminders that I am never perfect but God is always growing me into a more Christlike individual when I allow my story to be known. His grace if enough to cover everything no matter how ugly or shameful the sin.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2

Corinthians 12:9

When sharing your testimony you must be honest with yourself and others of just how far God has brought you. The more you share about God’s grace in your life and how He turned your life upside down the more people will hear and see God’s grace at work. Who did God use? In the Bible, God used imperfect people. He used people for His glory you never would have thought would be worthy to be used by God but that's the story of grace. Grace is not God choosing to use perfect people but imperfect people who always will need Him. God chooses daily to use wretched sinners to do His work, to bring glory to His name, and to make Him look good. People are not brought to Christ by perfect people. People are brought to Christ by imperfect people who are open about their imperfect nature, as well as, the perfect God who grows them to be more like Christ every day.

God is never done with you. Do not act like you must hide parts of your testimony to save from shaming the name of Christ. If God's grace covered it you have nothing to be ashamed of. You have a grace covered story to share with all who have ears.

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:6

Never let anyone shame you into not sharing your story. Never hide a part of your testimony out of shame. Your story is God producing a good work in you. Your story is a gift you must share with the world. No one has a story like yours. Your story is uniquely written to inspire people no one else can reach. Wherever you came from, remember that God's grace is the story your sharing when you share your testimony.

When you fail to share your testimony you allow shame to take root in your heart and you rob others from seeing God's work in your life. What better way to give God the glory for His work in your life than to share it? Share with others how far you have come because of God and how God radically changed your life. Share with others how God is changing your life now. How is He creating you into a more Christlike child of God? How is He daily showing patience, grace, and love to you?