0335. THE NEED OF TESTIMONY.

THE NEED OF TESTIMONY.

"Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee" (Mar_5:19).

Note concerning this Testimony-

1. Where is it to begin? "Go home to thy friends." The first disciples were commanded to begin at Jerusalem (Joh_1:40-42).

2. Who are to give it? "Those for whom the Lord has done great things." Personal experience must come before witness-bearing. This was David’s order (Psa_51:12-13; Psa_66:16).

3. What is the nature of it? The great things which the Lord had done for him implied many things. There was a deliverance from-

1. Self. "No man could tame him" (Mar_5:4). But Jesus did. He is able to subdue the most stubborn will.

2. The Devil (Mar_5:15). "And such were some of you; but ye are washed, sanctified, and justified in Name of the Lord Jesus" (1Co_6:11).

3. Insanity. "He was clothed and in his right mind" (Mar_5:15) The prodigal was first brought to himself before he came to his father (Luk_15:17) A Christless life is a life of madness. "They know not what they do."

4. Death. "He dwelt among the tombs" (Mar_5:3). The spiritually dead prefer the company of the dead, they walk according to the course of this world.

5. Suffering. "He was in the tombs cutting himself with stones." The life of unbelief is a life of self-destruction. O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself. Every sin committed is a cut inflicted on the soul.

6. Fear. When the Lord came near, he said, "What have I to do with Thee, Jesus, Thou Son of God?" (Mar_5:7), but after his salvation he "prayed that he might be with Him" (Mar_5:18). The result of his testimony was that "All men did marvel" (Mar_5:20). Great and marvellous are Thy works, O Lord. "Let the redeemed of the Lord say so" (Psa_107:2).

Autor: James Smith