A Journal of Joy: Things that make my heart smile…
I must admit that I balk at the idea of being a witness for Christ. The word “witness” conjures up negative images of Christ being on trial in a court of law and I must testify to His innocence. I finally figured out that Christ does not need me to defend Him. However, He does want me to attest to what He has done in my life if someone should ask (1 Peter 3:15). It doesn’t say to pounce on unsuspecting people and shove Christ down their throats. And, yes, people do that!
Yet the scripture clearly tells us we should be witnesses for Christ. “You shall be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, and all of Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Since I need to be a witness for Christ I decided to explore the subject further.
Many think this passage in Acts commands us to go out and witness for Christ. Although that could be one interpretation, it could also be stating a fact. It could be telling us that the gospel will spread to the ends of the earth and as it does Christians will be witnesses for Christ—not by trying to persuade skeptics to follow Him, but by showing how the fruits of God’s Spirit can be manifest in our lives so others will want to follow Him.
If we call ourselves Christians, then our lives are a witness for God. Our lives are either a good witness or a bad witness—but they are witnesses just the same. Hopefully our lives are a living testimony for God’s goodness, so others might say something like, “WOW! That person has a peace that passes all understanding. I’d like to have that kind of peace in my life.”
I don’t think being a witness for Christ is as difficult as I thought. I don’t have to convince others to follow Christ. Christ does that. I don’t even have to go out looking for people to “witness” to. God will do that. God will make sure I come in contact with the people He wants me to know. He will even put it in their hearts to ask me questions about Him that I can answer.
The early church knew this. They continued steadfastly doing what they had been taught. They met together, ate together, worshipped together, and prayed together. They were happy and got along with all the people (Acts 2:42-47). “And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47). The early church members devoted themselves to living a Christian life. That’s how they witnessed for Christ. They didn’t talk people into becoming Christians. They didn’t “lead” people to Christ. They allowed the Holy Spirit to transform them into what Christ would have them be and then God added to the church.
Hey, I think I can do this. It’s not as difficult as I thought and that makes me happy!
*****
Father, help me live my life reflecting the fruit of Your Holy Spirit so I can witness in a way where You get all the glory. I don’t need clever arguments or profound doctrine to convince others to follow You. It’s all about You and what You do. It’s not about me at all. Let Your love overflow from me to others so You can be glorified.
