Testimony - Simple Statement

Yesterday, I spoke about the story of the blind man that is found in John 9.  In verses 12 - 25, we hear how, not only the man himself, but even his parents were questioned about how he gained eyesight.  We see two very different stances here:

First, the man simply stated what had happened to him - how he had gained eyesight and was no longer blind.  Even though questioned more than once, his story remained simple and remained the same.  He did not shy away from answering the questions.  He did not shy away from simply stating what had happened to him and who had done this.

On the other hand, we see some very common behavior these days.  The man's own parents would not answer the questions.  They conceded that he was their son;  they conceded that he had been born blind;  and there was no question that he could now see.  But that is as far as they would go - they would not discuss how this had happened.  When questioned they simply stated - "Ask him - he is old enough to speak for himself." 

Their behavior here was a simple matter of fear.  The fear of the Pharisees and the fear of being exiled from the synagogue.  They didn't "deny" what their son was saying, but they would not "confirm" what he was saying either.  They were neutral.   Far too many people are "neutral" because they are afraid of what somebody else will think or say about them.  This is being "lukewarm". 

This is what the Bible tells us about being "lukewarm":  (in various translations)

King James:
¹⁵ I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
 ¹⁶ So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

New American Standard:
¹⁵ ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. ¹⁶ So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will ^[a]spit you out of My mouth.

NIV:
¹⁵ I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! ¹⁶ So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

NLT:
¹⁵ “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! ¹⁶ But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!

I have shown this in various translations to illustrate that the message does not waiver - it is the same regardless of the translation.  We are NOT to be lukewarm.

What do you say when someone asks you about Jesus?  Do you ever take the opportunity to testify to your belief in God?  It is not hard to testify about what God means to you. 

Simply fill in the following statement:  "I was ________ and now I am __________, because of Jesus."  How would you fill in the blanks??  We would love to hear your statement.