Can I Get a Witness?

When you think of the word “witness” what comes to mind? For many Christians the word “witness” is tied to evangelism and even believers will admit the term is scary.

In reality, when Jesus tells us in Acts 1:8: “you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” you might be surprised to know the Greek word for “witnesses” actually translates to “martyrs.”

If you’re in a country where there is freedom of religion, the threat of being killed for speaking out about your faith is unlikely, but I think there’s another meaning here.

When we are Christ’s witnesses, we are dying to ourselves and putting our own agenda last for Christ’s agenda. We are dying to our need for popularity, material excess, and at times acceptance from family members, so that people will see Jesus in us and not the world.

When we share our faith with others, we die to the tendency to “witness” from our perspective and find common ground with the person we are trying to draw to the Savior.

In Colossians 4:5,6, the Apostle Paul states, Live wisely among those who are not Christians, and make the most of every opportunity.  Let your conversation be gracious and effective so that you will have the right answer for everyone.

In his book, Committed to Christ, author Bob Crossman says, “Paul is suggesting that when witnessing to those who are not Christians, we should know who they are, how they think, and what their life goals are.  We should discover patterns of relating to them in ways that will be positive and not offend them. Paul is also suggesting that we use “gracious and effective” words that are warm, caring, and kind.”

In essence, Paul is confirming we need to die to ourselves in order to share Christ effectively.

We need to be martyrs.

Isn’t that what Jesus was when he spoke about the Kingdom of Heaven? Didn’t he die to self until his very last breath on the cross? Can I get a witness?

Lisa Burkhardt Worley

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