John,

The one thing I would suggest that you do NOT do is give your audience the impression that if someone converts to Christianity, everything that was bad becomes good. I would focus upon the fact that the Gospel is that which changes life, rather than a Gospel of the changed life. For some, it may be entirely true, that before they came to Christ their marriage was on the rocks, their business was in dire straights, their children gave them no respect, they engaged in heavy drinking, etc., etc.... but afterward, these things improved. But it is no less true that many of God's children after being called out of darkness into light experienced many trials and tribulations. Not a few have seen their marriages end in divorce, lose their jobs, contract some serious illness, etc.

All too often I have heard "testimonies" which amount to nothing more than an advertisement for Jesus. They make Christianity nothing more than one of the many other items found in the religion supermarket from which people can choose. So, their "testimony" sounds like more of a sales pitch to pique the interest of the potential "buyer".

I would focus upon what has happened indeed, but on the inside; e.g., God in His mercy and grace gave you eyes to see the blackness of your heart, how your life was filled with sinful desires and wicked acts, even though they might have had the appearance of virtue. You could stress the wonders of grace in that the Lord revealed Himself to you and gave you a deep love for Him and an insatiable hunger for His Word and to be conformed into His image. I would think that everyone who has been brought to a living relationship with God could speak of these things naturally. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

In His Grace,

[Linked Image]

simul iustus et peccator

[Linked Image]