We Are His Witnesses

In a criminal trial, the influence of a witness can turn a case in a different direction. The witness can bring forth evidence convincing a judge or jury that an individual is guilty or that the accused should go free. The witness is not to testify of third party information. Instead, he or she must speak from their personal relationship to the case.

We Are Christ’s Ambassadors

We too are witnesses for the Lord when we testify of His goodness and saving power to others. The scripture calls us ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20). We are His representatives on the earth. We are citizens of heaven, and we represent heaven to the people of earth.

Isaiah’s Vision

Isaiah was a prophet in Old Testament times. After Uzziah, king of Judah, died, Isaiah beheld a vision. He saw the Lord in great splendor. Isaiah witnessed the holiness of God and he became aware of his own sin. His was the sin of unholy speech. It may have been because of something he said to a friend or an enemy. Perhaps he remembers grumbling and complaining. In any event, an angel in the vision gives him a hot coal to place on his lips. Through this act, Isaiah received forgiveness.

Then the Lord asked a question, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” Isaiah replied, “Here am I send me.” God told him to go and tell the people his word. Isaiah volunteered to be one of God’s witnesses. Isaiah’s assignment was a difficult one. The Lord tells him that most would not receive his message. However, the Lord said there was to be a remnant who responds positively to his words.

Like Isaiah, we can ask God to reveal any sin in our lives that hinders the flow of His power and love.

Christ’s Commission

We have been commissioned by the Lord to share the message of the gospel with others. Mark 16:15-16 NIV “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.  Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”

And Matthew 28:18-20 NIV, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Also, in the 2 Corinthians 5:18 the scripture says we are ministers of reconciliation. We have been gifted through the power of the Holy Spirit to be His witnesses.

We have been given the weighty responsibility to live uprightly before the unsaved and to lovingly tell them the good news. Just being an example is not enough. We must also encourage them to embrace Christ and His message.

Some believe these scriptures only apply to a select group of people, namely those called into a ministry office. But we are a royal priesthood. All of us are called to share our faith with others.

Many feel inadequate for the task. Perhaps you are not an extrovert but an introvert. But you can still influence others for the kingdom. God did not call all of us to public ministry. You may not have a strong knowledge of the scriptures, but you can share your story of how you met the Lord.

Ways to be a Witness

There are many ways we can reach the lost. If someone is hurting, we can lend a listening ear and we can offer to pray for them. Or we can share a time when Jesus met our needs to draw them to the Lord. Also, we can invite the person to church or to a meal at our home.

Look for opportunities to be a witness for the Lord. Love seeks to meet the needs of others. This is what Christ has called us to.

Let the Holy Spirit Empower You

Let’s remember that the Holy Spirit wants to empower us with His love and His boldness. We can depend on Him to flow through us. He will enable us to be His witnesses. If we ask Him to, he will give us divine appointments. He will give us opportunities to share God’s message, the message that fills the hungry heart.

If you are afraid at the thought of testifying for the Lord, remember that God is with you. He is a very present help in your time of need (Psalm 46:1). After Jesus commissioned us to go and make disciples, He said He would always be with us – even to the end of the age.

We are not alone in this journey called Christianity. The Holy Spirit lives in us and we can ask Him to empower us to be His witnesses. Acts 1:8 NIV says, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” God offers us His love and His power so we can be His witnesses.

You are His Witnesses in the Courtroom of Life

Your life and words are a witness in the courtroom of life. You can help others find Jesus. Testify of what you personally know from your relationship with Jesus. Become a friend with those that have yet to know the Savior. Your friend may be sick. Offer to pray for him or her. Your friend may accompany you to church if you invite them. Our lives are not our own. Let’s reach out to the least of these and show them Jesus. Let’s be His witnesses in a world that is looking for the Way. Our witness will make a difference in the courtroom of life.