Living in the Image of God M02S13
Christ instruction to a man freed from demons conveys a message of giving testimony in appreciation of favor. Whether the favor is delivered direct from God or channeled through another person, the recipient is called to tell others about the favor, tell them about the benefactor, and tell them about God. A testimony of appreciation helps the benefactor understand they made positive impact, motivates all to seek to be good to others, and inspires better understanding of human relationship with God through what he has done for others in a given situation.
Based on Christ instruction to a man freed from demons (Mark 5:19), we discuss a message of giving testimony in appreciation of favor. The message calls on every favor recipient to give testimony regarding his or her appreciation. The favor could be delivered direct from God, such as Hannah giving birth to Samuel; or channeled through a person that provides goods or service to benefit another. Whichever the case, the recipient is called to tell others about the favor, tell them about the benefactor, and tell them about God. Also, the recipient is called to tell the benefactor as well, privately or among other people.
Such a testimony will inspire the benefactor to understand they made positive impact by providing goods or service to benefit others. Also, the testimony will motivate goodness in the benefactor and others and inspire them to understand what God has done for people in given situations. As a result, a testimony of appreciation increases opportunities to propagate the long-term benefits of human service.
In a previous bible study under Christ Teaches Appreciation—Man Freed from Demons, we discuss Christ interactions with the man freed of demons to understand the circumstances of Christ’s instruction. In this bible study, we focus on the instruction to understand that it applies and how it applies to every recipient of favor, delivered direct or channeled through others.
Christ Instruction
Christ’s instruction to a man freed from demons conveys a message to all people regarding appreciation and testimony. In appreciation, the man wanted to follow Jesus physically. However, “Jesus did not let him, but said, ‘Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you’” [Mark 5:19].
The instruction to “tell them how much the Lord has done for you” means “give testimony regarding your appreciation of God’s favor to you;” “appreciation” means “thankful recognition;” and “favor” means “a benefit from goods or service provided by someone else.” The message applies to a direct favor from God: such as man freed from demons; or God’s favor channeled through another person, which at times could be understood as human favor.
Direct Favor from God
A direct favor from God is delivered direct to a person, i.e., not channeled through others. For example, God granted Hannah’s prayer for a child through the birth of Samuel. Another example is Christ healed ten men from leprosy. The recipient of direct favor is called to appreciate the favor and appreciate God. Further, the recipient is called to show appreciation by giving testimony to thank God and inform others about what God has done.
Human Favor
Often, God channels favor to a person through others. For this purpose, he creates every person to represent him in human interactions with others. A person providing goods or service to benefit another is a good example of representing God in human interactions. The Parable of the Good Samaritan provides such an example.
The recipient of human favor is called to appreciate the favor, appreciate the benefactor, and appreciate God. Also, the recipient is called to tell the benefactor and tell others about what God has done. Tell them about the favor, tell them about the benefactor, and tell them about God.
Purpose of Testimony
A testimony could be private or public. The recipient talks to the benefactor or talks to God in a private testimony to show appreciation. In a public testimony, the recipient talks to several people or talks to God in the presence of several people (possibly including the benefactor) to show appreciation. The recipient shows appreciation of the favor, appreciation of the benefactor, and appreciation of God that empowered the benefactor.
Value of Appreciation Testimony
Telling the benefactor about your appreciation will inspire them to understand they made positive impact by providing goods or service to benefit others. Also, a testimony regarding appreciation will inspire better understanding of human relationship with God: by understanding God’s interactions with others and what he has done for them in given situations.
As a result, a testimony of appreciation will motivate the benefactor and others to seek to be good to yet others, thus providing opportunities to propagate the long-term benefits of human service.
Summary of What We Learned
Christ instruction to a man freed from demons conveys a message of giving testimony in appreciation of favor. Whether the favor is delivered direct from God or channeled through another person, the recipient is called to tell others about the favor, tell them about the benefactor, and tell them about God.
A testimony of appreciation helps the benefactor understand they made positive impact, motivates all to seek to be good to others, and inspires better understanding of human relationship with God through what he has done for others in a given situation.