A “witness” is someone who attests to a fact, so in order to be an effective witness for Christ, one must have first-hand knowledge of Him.
John the Apostle speaks of this in I John 1: 1-3 when he says “That… which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at, and our hands have touched – this we proclaim concerning the word of life”.
Today, we who have experienced new life in Christ give an account of His love and forgiveness, both verbally and in the way we live our lives. To be effective in our witness, we should remember several basic things, such as the theme and power of our witness.
The theme of our witness is Jesus Christ. Paul defined the gospel as the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ (I Cor. 15: 1-4).
If we are not explaining the sacrifice of Christ, then we are not really sharing the gospel. An important part of this theme is the fact that Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation, not just one of many ways. “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14: 6).
The power of our witness is the Holy Spirit. It is the Spirit who transforms life (Titus 3: 5) and a transformed life is evident to all.
The validity of our witness will be shown in how we live our lives.
Philippians 2: 15 set this goal for us. An effective Christian witness will live his/her life above reproach in the power of the Holy Spirit, whose fruit he exhibits when he remains in Christ. (John 15: 1-8 and Galatians 5: 22-23). And being a Christian witness involves your whole life, not just your words. Matt. 5: 13 – You are the salt of the earth. Be the salt, that is, add flavour and be a preservative element to all around you. Live for God before people and impact positively in their lives. Be a preserving force against corruption and ills in our society.
As you determine to be salt and light before others, you exert a positive influence upon them.
Matt. 5: 14-16 – Be light and the darkness is pushed back. Be light before men, so they see your good deeds. Your good works point others to God. Your good deeds will cause others to praise your Father in heaven. Matt. 13: 24-38a – Be “good seed” and you will reproduce according to your kind, with hardly any conscious effort.
Plant yourself and your godly life in the midst of others. Planted seed tends to sprout and grow a crop even though the farmer “knoweth not how”. Be a child of the Kingdom that is, good seed and watch the crops spring up without stress and strain.
Jesus Christ’s last command to the Christian community was to make disciples. This command, which the Church calls the Great Commission, was not intended merely for the eleven remaining disciples, or just for the apostles or for those in present times who may have the gift of evangelism. It is the responsibility of every man and woman who professes faith in Christ as Lord. 2 Cor. 5: 18-20. We are called ambassadors of Christ – be His ambassadors, walking in His full authority, empowered for the ministry of reconciliation and speaking the message of reconciliation.
A Jewish Christian told a story of the godly lifestyle that he had observed in his gentile Christian roommate in college. After months of watching the other man’s life, he said, “that is what I need” and he turned to the Lord as his Saviour.
Have a blessed week as you be a good example, and a role model for others to follow. God bless you all.
Your brother and friend
‘Seyi Pirisola