1 John 5:10
He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
Expectations of a witness
The term “witness” is a legal term. It means someone has experienced something and can validate another persons account.
Let me use an example: You are in your local Fred Meyer and a thief comes up and steals a woman’s purse right in front of you. The situation really bothers you, so you stick around and wait for the police to show up. When the cops get to the scene, they want to take witness statements, and you are happy to oblige. You are now a witness in that case because you saw it happen and can give an account of the situation.
When we witness to people about the relationship we have with God; that’s how we ought to look at it. Those of us that are saved have our own experiences with Him, and can give people an account of those situations and experiences. We testify of the power of God.
Nonbelievers get the chance to hear all that God has done for you. We shouldn’t shy away or be nervous about witnessing to others—whether that be a coworker, neighbor, friend, family member, or even a stranger we encounter in public. We should be shouting the glory of God to everyone!
Your personal mission fields
Family—I think our family should be our priority, and number 1 mission field. Those family members that are close to us trust us, and will bend an ear. If they love us, they should at least give us a chance to give them the gospel. If they don’t, we have the right to give it to them anyways! Haha, I say that “tongue-in-cheek,” of course, but with some truth. I know I can be much bolder, and much more forceful, with my family members than that of anyone else.
Luke 16:19-31
There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: and there was a certain beggar named Lazaarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; and in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. The he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to to my father’s house: for I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
The rich man wished someone would go and tell his family before its to late, and they end up in hell. We need to be proactive, and learn from this story, and go and tell our family members before it’s to late, and they die without a chance to repent. We do not want one of our family members going to hell and saying why didn’t my “saved family member” tell me about the Bible and the gospel.
Friends—Our friends should be the easiest to witness to because they have witnessed our life and the fruits thereof. I know for me, my friends have been there through it all: before, during, and after my salvation. They get to see the transformation of our lives—becoming a new creature.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, his a new creature: old things are past away; behold, all things are become new.
I can say personally, I have led friends to God. I am so happy God was able to use me in this way! I know the evidence of the Holy Spirit coming into my life has shown through as a “light” to my friends and family. The gospel of Jesus Christ is always on my tongue when speaking to my friends. I will caution you, though some friends have seen the fruits in my life, and have wanted the same, not everyone of them is like that; some have quit talking to me over it.
Co-workers—I want to brag on God here. After I was saved, God started placing me in situations where He used me at work. Before I was saved, I rarely worked with believers. Now it seems, there is always someone around me that God uses me in their life in some sort of manner, whether it be: sharing the gospel, encouraging a backslider, teaching them something out of the Bible that they needed to know, edifying them through scripture, praying with them, or even showing a non-believer where they are wrong in their thinking about Christianity.
It’s truly been such a joy to see God work in this way. I can’t explain how much meaning I’ve gained from these experiences. Not only has God used me to help others, He has used others to help me.
I want to point out that God uses me because I am eager to serve. I know mutable Christian that do not have the same experience. I believe it’s because they don’t desire to put themselves out there and God knows it. Some people are selfish and worry more about their comfort than they do about being a good witness.
Matthew 5:14-16
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Important note: People should notice that we are different. There is something about a Christian that is set apart from the world. Our walk should speak louder then our talk. Our behavior should be morally sound. We are called to be Holy and should be that way at work. We shouldn’t be partaking in worldly banter. We shouldn’t be absorbed in worldly things. We need to be set apart and show the people around us at work we are a child of God. Let our goings be a testament to others of the Kingdom of God.
Places we frequent—We all have places we routinely go. I, for example, go to the gym often, as well as a local coffee shop down the street from my house. Wherever you go—daily, weekly, or monthly—those who are there should know you’re a Christian.
I encourage you to always have gospel tracts on your person so that you can use them as a tool to start a conversation. Even if you don’t have the time to talk, you can hand them out and say something like, “Jesus changed my life,” and move on.
I know God has put certain people in my path at the gym. I have had many fruitful conversations there—conversations with atheists, believers, and people who don’t know the gospel. It’s important that we reach everyone, and it’s our duty to reach those in our paths. You don’t know if the person at the gym, or wherever you go, has ever heard the gospel. If that’s true and you don’t share the gospel with them, and they die soon after, their blood could be on your hands. I know this sounds harsh, but it’s the truth.
Final thought
Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
You don’t have to witness alone, and I would say it can be more powerful to bring another believer with you. We all have unique testimonies that can be used while we try to reach the lost. I’ve been door-knocking at times where the homeowner related much more with my fellow brethren than they did with me. We all need each other, and we should be in the mindset of “whatever it takes.”
Let us go boldly and reach the lost! It’s not only our duty, but its a commandment, so take it seriously.
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