If you hadn’t noticed, there is unrest everywhere in the world today. On my mind lately is the Middle East, and the war between Israel and Hamas. But it doesn’t stop there. Russia and Ukraine. China and Taiwan. Even unrest here at home in the U.S. is more commonplace than ever before. People are angry and intolerant. Nations are rising up against other nations. The list of troubles and troubled places in the world could go on, but one thing is certain: the Lord is arranging the furniture on the stage of history for its final performance.

The apostle Peter dealt with critics in 2 Peter chapter 3 who had attacked his preaching and teaching about Jesus’ return. Peter’s world was a troubled one, too, and he preached the imminent return of Christ, to which his critics ridiculed him, saying things like “nothing that catastrophic has ever happened before,” and that “all things continue just as they have from the beginning” (see 2 Peter 3:4-7). But Peter knew differently. Later in that chapter, Peter went on to describe the great and terrible Day of the Lord, but concluded chapter three with a positive admonition to the church. Let’s focus there.

Because God is guiding world history to its conclusion, and because you and I are alive in these troubled times, we have two great opportunities. First, live for Jesus every day, knowing that His return is closer than the day before. Second, share the gospel. Here is what Peter said: “Therefore, dear friends, while you wait for these things, make every effort to be found without spot or blemish in his sight, at peace.  Also, regard the patience of our Lord as salvation…” (2 Peter 3:14-15).

The Importance of Your Testimony

As we seek to live out this final portion of 2 Peter chapter 3, remember that we have the privilege and obligation of sharing the gospel (“regard the patience of the Lord as salvation…” (2 Peter 3:14) as we go about our daily activities, meeting new people who do not know the Lord. Each day that the Lord delays His return is another day to share the gospel and perhaps see people accept His offer of salvation.

For most of us, sharing the gospel begins with us sharing our testimony (or story, as I like to call it). A story has three movements: a beginning, middle, and end. This reflects my understanding of what a testimony is. It has three main parts.

Your Testimony’s Three Parts

As you consider the importance of sharing the gospel, let’s start by shaping up your testimony into its three parts. Once you know how to articulate these three things, you’ll be able to share your story at any time, at any place, and to anyone. I’ve taught multiple Bible study groups how to organize their testimony into those three elements.

Divide a sheet of 8.5 X 11 paper into three sections by drawing 2 lines horizontally across the page. Now you’re ready to jot down words and phrases that describe these three things:

1. Your Life Before Christ – As you begin to tell your story, start at the beginning! What do you remember about your life before coming to Christ? For some people, there’s nothing overly dramatic here (and there doesn’t need to be!). Some of us grew up going to church where we heard about Jesus in the sermons and in Sunday School. For others, though, we may have been older, and we may have made some mistakes along the way as teenagers or young adults. On that sheet of paper, jot down words and phrases that describe your life before coming to Jesus.
2. How You Came to Follow Christ – Did you accept Christ at church during a worship service after hearing a sermon? Did you accept His forgiveness at a revival service? Did you pray and ask Jesus to forgive you at a summer camp? Did a college roommate share the gospel with you in your dorm room? Wherever it happened, use the middle section of your 8.5 X 11 paper to jot down words and phrases that describe the moment you bowed your knee to King Jesus.
3. What Has Life Been Like Since Coming to Christ? – How have you followed Jesus in the days after becoming one of His sons or daughters? Think about how you’ve grown in your understanding and application of the Bible. How have you established relationships with people in the church (have you become an active member of a Bible study group?). Have you served in the church, your community, or perhaps on a mission trip, using your spiritual gifts for good things? How have you grown in your understanding of who Jesus is, and how the Bible tells His story of the redemption of mankind? Jot down a few words and phrases in the bottom section of your 8.5 X 11 paper.

Once you have filled our your paper, simply go back over each section. Practice talking about the things you jotted down in each section with a friend or two. Once you do that, when God gives you an opportunity to share your story with someone you’ve never met before, you’ll be ready and able to tell your story. As you do this, you live out the words the Apostle Peter wrote centuries ago: “…Regard the patience of the Lord as salvation.” Each day we live without experiencing the return of Christ is one more day to see people saved. Let’s all commit to share our testimonies during these troubled times.