For the past couple of weeks, we have been talking about our personal testimony or story of how we came to salvation in Jesus. Everyone who has found salvation in Christ has a story of what they were like before Christ, how they came to Christ, and what life has been like since receiving eternal life. Every one of these stories matter! Your story matters! Your story is unique to you. 

I have been amazed reading all the stories I have received over the last couple of weeks from many of you in our congregation. Thank you to those of you who have shared your story with me already. Many more of you need to share your story with me as well. There is no time limit for this. I just want to hear your story. So, get started today. 

The reality of what we have been talking about is that people really do want to hear your story. They aren't asking deep theological questions. They just want to know what happened in your life that makes you different. Remember, your story is unique, and what you do with your story is a responsibility you must never take lightly. God has entrusted you with an opportunity to affect people who watch you daily. You might not realize the influence you have, but people are watching you - waiting to see if your words match your actions. 

You were influenced yourself by someone whose testimony spoke clearly to your heart about your need for the Savior. In the same way, you will impact others, even when you have no idea they are watching. 

(2 Corinthians 1:12) (CSB)

Indeed, this is our boast: The testimony of our conscience is that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you, with godly sincerity and purity, not by human wisdom but by God's grace.

If you are to make an impact in others’ lives for Christ, there are essentials that will be present in your life. I believe we can see this in what the Apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians. 

1. Your Character will be above reproach

The Apostle had to face scrutiny and accusations many times against his character and his integrity. In the text we read today these people accused him of being proud, self-serving, and even untrustworthy and inconsistent. Others accused him of being unbalanced, incompetent and, unsophisticated. They called him an incompetent preacher. But Paul appealed to them at the highest level, his conscience. "This is our boast." He used this word a lot in his writings.

This word, if used negatively, refers to bragging about yourself and your achievements when no one has even asked. But Paul didn't use the word that way here. He wasn't bragging on himself. He used it to explain the confidence he had in what God had done in his own life. 

(Romans 15:18) (CSB) (1 Corinthians 1:31) (CSB)

There are two elements that will line up if your character is above reproach. The first is that your actions or behavior will lineup with God's Word. Unbelievers are always watching you. Your responsibility is to make sure you are staying in the center of God's will and maintaining your daily walk with the Lord. Secondly, your speech will represent your true character. Before you can expect anyone to be curious about your life, you need to consider what your words reveal about you (Matthew 12:34). Are you telling people one thing with your mouth, but revealing something totally different with your behavior? 

2. You will possess a Clear Conscience

Paul's conscience vindicated him completely. He was known for always doing his best to have a clear conscience toward God and others (Acts 24:16). But he knew it was ultimately God who can accurately judge a man's heart and motives (1 Corinthians 4:1-5). This pure conscience he talked about having did not come from any worldly wisdom or human insight, because that kind of wisdom is limited to earth and its characteristics are unsanctified coming from Satan's forces (1 Corinthians 2:14). 

John MacArthur calls the conscience the soul's warning system. It allows humans to think about their motives and behavior before making the decision whether something is right or wrong (Romans 2:14-15). Even an unsaved person can make right and wrong decisions and put into practice God's most basic law such as valuing honesty and possessing compassion and goodness toward others. But for the conscience to work the way that God intended you must know what the highest moral and spiritual level or standard is. This means the conscience will have to submit to the Holy Spirit through God's Word (Romans 12:1-2). 

For those of us who are in Christ, the only acceptable worship that we can offer to God is to give ourselves completely to the Lord. We may remain in an unredeemed body now, but He wants us to be yielded to Him as an instrument of righteousness (Romans 6:12-13).