I sometimes wonder if we’ve totally misunderstand what witnessing is all about. First of all, it’s not You who saves others – only the Lord can (1 Corinthians 3:6-9). And if you respond with – ‘I know that!’, then what’s the problem about witnessing to others who the Lord is and what He does? In witnessing, our focus should be on the other person and helping them to understand what’s available to them when they do accept Jesus. Remember… we are His Ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20) – it’s not about us. We just get the joy of sharing.
Again, what we’re supposed to be doing is bringing others to the Lord so that He can save them. I also believe that it is our confidence in the Lord that is our best and more obvious foundation in our witness. Do we believe He can save to the uttermost (Hebrews 7:25)? Do we know that in accepting Him as our Lord that we are in the process of change and growth (Hebrews 4:14-16)? Is the Word our foundation of authority (2 Timothy 3:16-17)? I believe that it is our ‘real life’ experiences in these areas that we share that can provide a beginning testimony for others and a basis for their understanding and confidence.
Our part is the testifying Who the Lord is right here, right now, and what they can do to partake in the confidence based in the Lord. It also helps them to realize that this life, though important, is a step away from our fullness in the future. Our experience provides an understanding for the unbeliever, just how important He is and that it is the Lord who empowers us in our lives. How we demonstrate Who the Lord is and continues to be in our lives is the beginning of their understanding and appreciation. We share, we invite, we provide our ‘witness’ (experience). That’s the end of our involvement until they do accept Jesus … and then I believe we take on an even greater responsibility to help them grow by being mentored, grounded, ‘educated’, and helped during their beginning steps (making disciples – Matthew 28:19-20).
I think it is incredible that the Lord chooses to work with us, through us in this place and time with this meaning and purpose. It should show us that we matter, we are important to Him because He chooses to work through us to bring everyone into His family (2 Peter 3:9). And at the same time it isn’t difficult – we simply live that kind of life and let it draw others to us so that sharing, inviting is a natural extension. There is an unexpected benefit. As we do the witnessing and listen to ourselves, we build ourselves up. We hear what the Lord has done for and in us.
“Jesus came up and said to them, “All authority (all power of absolute rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations [help the people to learn of Me, believe in Me, and obey My words], baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age.” [Matthew 28:18-20 AMP]
Is this difficult? (It’s not like ‘cold calling’ in business.) The beginning of this encounter can be a question from someone… a question to someone… sharing something exciting that happened… Matthew 28 is our directive – go and make disciples. This process begins with a conversation with an unbeliever. Never forget – your sharing begins and ends in Love. Love of Jesus, Love for the unbeliever.
