Recently our family took a hike in the beautiful Saratoga State Park. We took one of our dogs, and the kids and dog played in the creek. We enjoyed the sunshine and beauty of God’s creation looking at the “Spouters” shooting pressured water out of the ground. It was a fun adventure. One man commented on my wife’s t-shirt and said: “I Like Your Shirt!” She was wearing a gray t-shirt with a white logo. The phrase on the shirt said: “It’s about the Cross” and had a large cross emblem right in the middle.
Someone is watching you. You are being watched! I’m not talking about being paranoid or overly concerned for privacy. People see your actions, hear your words, interact with your social media posts, and observe your life – on a daily basis.
The things you love are evident in your words and actions. The stuff you are involved in reveals qualities about you and your life. The purchases you make, the music you listen to, the style of your hair, and the clothes you wear are all witnessed by other people. Your attitude is on display.
Witnessing is something the Bible speaks of often. A witness sees something happen and is called on in court to reveal under oath what they saw. The witnesses of Jesus’ day saw Jesus and could testify of what they saw and heard. Today, Christians are witnesses of what Jesus has done in their life from the moment they believed the Gospel. A changed life. New values. Authentic purposes.
The best way to understand witnessing is this: One Christian telling someone else about Jesus and what He has done in their life in saving their soul. It is sharing the life-giving Gospel. Witnessing could start with a t-shirt, a Gospel tract, or a spoken word.
Gospel preacher and traveling adventurer, the Apostle Paul, said: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16). The EDC Christian is not ashamed of his/her faith in Christ.
For our Every Day Carry Christian kit, so far we have looked at: The Bible, Prayer, and Fellowship. Now let’s consider Witnessing. Sharing Jesus with someone can happen every day. Here are 3 ways we can share Christ with others.
The Witness of Language.
Speaking truth to others in a kind and loving way speaks volumes to people living in a confused and corrupt world.
Acts 1:8 says, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” We have God’s power in our lives and have the ability and enablement of God Himself in us (His Spirit). When we walk in the Spirit of God we can use our words to talk to others about Christ. Even when and especially when things are not going well, your words mixed with a healthy attitude speak of Jesus.
The Witness of Life.
Your life consists of daily choices, routines, and habits. These choices, routines, and habits are a testimony to what you love and serve. If your life is more like Jesus, it will become evident in your lifestyle. Lifestyle speaks volumes about the importance of Christianity in your life.
There are some Christians that behave in such a way that if I were not yet saved and did not know any Christians different than they are – I would not want to become a Christian. That’s harsh, but in reality. If you are reading this post, you are probably not one of those people. You are humble enough to read the Scriptures, read devotionals, and gather with your church to grow and change to be more like Christ. The pride, arrogance, negativity, and judgmental attitude of some have harmed the testimony of Christ. Have a life that honors Jesus.
A Witness of Love.
Jesus said in John 13:35, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
This clear and concise teaching indicates the value that Jesus places on participation in and harmony among God’s people with their local church. Christians getting along with each other and serving the Lord together is a wonderful witness to the life change that takes place because of the Gospel. Go to church this Sunday, gather with God’s people, be encouraged, encourage others, serve together, and then go live life sharing God’s loving Gospel with others during the week.
Once the conversation about salvation and the Gospel is initiated, the following “Romans Road” can help. After Romans, I then follow up with three keywords from John 1:12, “Believe, Receive, and Become.” I have my Bible marked with these verses and enjoy sharing them in this order:
Romans 3:23, For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Romans 6:23, For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 5:8, But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 10:9–10, That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
John 1:12, But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Will you be a positive witness for Jesus? One person said: “The greatest obstacle for witnessing is the fear of failing. Persons who witness cannot fail. The very act of bearing witness is success!” With God’s grace and help, you can be an EDC Christian who shares Jesus with others each day.
EDC Christian 