Witnessing for Jesus. Have you had trouble doing it? Are you worried about how to start up the conversation or what people might say about you? Sometimes I find it easier to talk with people at work or someone I might know, but we are told to be witnesses for Jesus to the world.
When I was younger I was afraid to bring Jesus up in the conversation, but as I gotten a little older, it has become much easier. Sometimes we just need to be ready when the opportunity presents itself. Maybe someone will just mention how they are sick, or how nice the day is, or how they like their job. It could be anything that would allow you to point them toward Jesus. They could thank Him for their job, or ask for healing and so on. The more you witness the easier it gets.
Of course you may get ridiculed, or they may make fun of you. Jesus tells us that these things will happen. He also tells us that we may get persecuted, but we are to keep on witnessing. You might ask what exactly are we to do or say, or what is witnessing for Jesus.
The dictionary tells us that a witness is (1)attesting to a fact or event, (2) one who gives evidence, (3)One who has personal knowledge of something, (4) something serving as evidence or proof. So there is a number of different ways that we can witness to someone. So you can tell others about what God has done in your life. He has taken you and totally change your life. Jesus has given you eternal life, you have an inheritance in heaven which will put peace in your life. We are a witness of a new life in Him.
Take Paul for example, He was persecuting the believers, and even witnessing their execution. When Jesus changed his life, he became one of the most powerful witnesses of how Jesus can change your life that we read in the Bible. He remained faithful to Jesus to the end. Paul tells us what it is to be persecuted for Jesus:
2Corinthians;11:23-26(Are they servents of Christ? I speak as if insane, I more so; in far more imprisionments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countryman, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers from false brethren;) We see that Paul witness, was in faith in Jesus. He gave him boldness and strength in his times of trouble. We have no excuses, because we probably will never be at risk of death for witnessing for Jesus.
If we truly love Jesus we are to witness. Who do we serve, man or God? We are instructed to go into the world and witness the Word.
[The Great Commission]
Matthew;28:18-20(And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you, and lo I am with you always, even to the end of the age" Amen.)
[Do Not Be Ashamed]
We are told not to be ashamed of Jesus, and to be bold in our witnessing. We are also warned of the consequenceses of being ashamed of Jesus.
Mark;8:38(For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.)
Whoever rejects the demands of decipleship, prove themselve to be ashamed of Jesus Christ. It would be a terrible thing to have Jesus ashamed of us. Look what he went through because He loved us so much. He died on the cross for our sins. All we have to do is just tell people about Him.
Paul also tells of not to be ashamed.
Romans;1:16-17(For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "But The Righteous man Shall Live By Faith.")
2Timothy;1:8(Therefore, do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in the suffering for the gospel according to the power of God,)
Peter tells us not to be ashamed.
1Peter;4:16(but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.)
We need to guard our witness everyday. You cannot live like the rest of the world and still have a good witness. We are told that we are the light in a dark place, so don't hide your light because you are ashamed.
Matthew;5:13(You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses it flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.)
Matthew;5:16(Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.)
A godly life is convincing testimony of the saving power of Jesus in your life. People see a difference in your life and they cannot deny that God can and will change lives. We have to be careful that we don't jeopardize our witness by the life we lead. Satan would love nothing better than to ruin your testimony. It's hard to tell people about our saving faith in Jesus if we don't live it ourselves. So guard your testimony and be bold and spread the word that salvation is in Him.
God Bless You!
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