What is it? What does it mean? What does it require? … Why me!!!!
Actually, everyone is constantly witnessing by their actions, by their words. You are, consciously or not, ‘witnessing’ to what you think, what you believe – every moment! One way of considering what a witness is/does is to consider what happens in court: a witness testifies to what they saw, heard. This is what a witness does – testify.
If you state that you are a Christian, your question is – do you exemplify Christ-like qualities? Are you a witness for Christ? Is this what others see and hear from you? For some reason many people immediately think, primarily, in terms of ‘turning the other cheek’. That is only one small component to what being a Christian witness is and does.
Equally important about being a Christian witness is – how do you witness. Do you witness in an apologetic fashion, almost denying your Christianity? Or maybe you are at the opposite end of the continuum and you’re the ‘hit them over the head’ Christian – bombing them with hell fire and brimstone? I know the Apostle Paul said that he was all things to all men in order by some means he might bring them to a saving knowledge…. but neither stand would be one he would advocate.
Most of us share the Christ we have discovered, the one we know. The logical extension from that is – how much have you discovered, who is it you know? This is not a frivolous question. Someone said that you may be the only Bible someone reads. That’s an enormous responsibility, but not a fearful one. It should inspire us to discover Jesus and grow in our understanding and appreciation of who He is. This will naturally translate into who we become, how we portray Him to others.
Being a witness shouldn’t be a frightening or burdensome activity. You are a witness. The only question remaining is: what are you a witness of, to, about?
