Inconsistent Testimonies
Jonah 1:9-10, "... I am an Hebrew; and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land. 10 Then were the men exceedingly afraid, and said unto him, Why hast thou done this? For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them."
Jonah was a man that had a calling upon his life to preach. God commanded him "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me." (Jonah 1:2) However, Jonah didn't want to go to Nineveh, so he got onto a ship heading to Tarshish with the intention of fleeing from God's will. As a strong storm raged, Jonah was asked a series of questions by the people on board the ship: What is thine occupation? Whence comest thou? What is thy country? Of what people art thou? Jonah answers, but there is inconsistency in his testimony. He says that he "fears the LORD" but the men knew that he fled from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them so.
It is very important that our life is consistent with the testimony that we present with our mouths. Because our true testimony is how we live, not what we say. People have the ability to provide lip service, but very little of what they say is consistent with the way they live. Many testify their belief is that God has commissioned us to go into all the world and preach the gospel, yet they won't even share that gospel with their neighbor, or their co-worker, or someone God places into their path throughout the day. People will testify they are born again, yet they haven't attended church in years, they don't study the Word, they are disobedient in their tithes and offerings, they don't serve the Lord through their church, etc. etc.
May we make sure to live our life consistent with what we profess. The most ineffective person is that person who professes one thing and then does something different.
I leave you with a question from Jesus today, "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" (Luke 6:46)
Your Friend and HIS,
Pastor Abbott
MEDITATIONS
1. What do people know about you? Have you professed to be a Christian?
2. Do you have a testimony that is consistent with what you profess? Why or why not?
3. Do you know with a certainty that you’re are saved, are you living for Christ?