“PERRY MASON”

I used to watch “Perry Mason” on TV with my Granny.  We'd snuggle up on her couch, eager to see Perry catch another bad guy and foil the prosecutor, Hamilton Burger.  Both lawyers would often use a phrase and say that testimony was “incompetent, irrelevant and immaterial”.  How about us?  What's our testimony?

 
Wikipedia says:  “In law and religion, testimony is a solemn attestation as to the truth of a matter.  All testimonies should be well thought out and truthful.”  People are watching and they are listening.  What do they see and hear from us?  Sure, we probably have the “truthful” part down fine, but what about the “well thought out” part?  If the Lord came up in a conversation, what might you say?  We've just celebrated Easter so the wonderful facts about Jesus should be fresh in our minds.  Participating in Bible studies and Sunday School can help keep us active in God's Word.  Stop and think about one of your favorite hobbies.  You like to get together with others who share your interest and talk about it and do it.  The more you spend time practicing something, thinking about it, researching it and talking about it, the easier it becomes and the more prolific you become.  Our relationship with the Lord is infinitely more important and fulfilling than any hobby. 

We need to be ready every minute to give “testimony” concerning God's love, mercy and grace.  “So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord.”  (II Timothy 1:8a) 

  
A witness is “one who has personal knowledge of something”.  You have more than personal knowledge; you have an actual personal relationship with the Savior of the world!  If you saw a crime, you would speak up about it and work to help make things better.  The hugest crime is that there are people all around us who do not know the Lord.  Sadly, there are many who will spend eternity separated from God.  We can help change that.  We can, we ought, to speak up and be witnesses for Him.  Whether it's someone at school or work, a friend, or someone in your family - look around you.  Ask the Lord to guide you to someone.  Start praying for them and speak up.  Be that good and truthful witness.  Don't be incompetent, irrelevant or immaterial.  Make a difference in someone's eternal life.  The Lord will give you the opportunity and the words.  “In your hearts revere Christ as Lord.  Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope you have.”  (I Peter 3:15) 

 
Perry always worked hard to get his client declared innocent.  God has already taken care of that for us.  He sent His own Son, Jesus, to take the punishment for our sins.  No one could do more to secure our innocence and to free us from the penalty of our sin.  We have been pardoned because of God's amazing love!  So this very day, speak the name of Jesus to someone.  There is tremendous power in His name.  We have God's sweet Holy Spirit living within us.  Let's step up and be His witnesses and allow Him to use us.  Perry Mason righted wrong and made a difference – so can we.  “And this is the testimony:  God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.”  (I John 5:11)