Witnessing
Some Christians feel they are inadequate in sharing their faith in witnessing because they are not fully spiritually perfect or because they do not have a formal training in reaching out for others. Many feel they aren’t holy enough to engage in sharing their faith. So, they don’t reach out for others and wait for a future time. These individuals don’t realize that they are missing a vital experience that is essential for their own personal spiritual growth (Luke 12:12).
Jesus sent His 12 disciples (Matthew 10:1) and the seventy to witness to the nation of Israel and heal the sick (Luke 10:1,9). And after several successful missionary trips, they came back with great news of what the Lord has done through them and even the seventy reported that the demons were subject to them (Luke 10:17).
Please note that, it was after these successful missionary trips that the twelve disciples argued with pride between themselves about which of them was greatest. Obviously, they were not yet thoroughly converted nor spiritually perfect. But the Lord still used them in reaching others because working for the salvation of the lost is an integral element to the conversion process.
Also, it was after this that Peter denied Christ. And even after 3-½ years, Christ told Peter, “When you’re converted,” future tense, “strengthen the brethren” (Luke 22:32). The bitter experience that Peter went through worked in him a transformation and prepared him for more effective witnessing.
Don’t Wait to Be Perfect
Christians should not wait until they feel they are holy enough to witness. Witnessing is a necessary part of their salvation. The apostle Paul declares, “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). Salvation requires both confession and faith.
A readiness to confess Jesus as Lord in word and actions has always been the test of true discipleship (Matthew 10:32; Luke 12:8; Revelation 3:5). A true confession before others and continued to the end, will bring about salvation (Revelation 2:10). Jesus said, “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 10:32 also Luke 12:8). The good news is that Christ’s power is never more available than to those who are willing to be His witnesses.
The Great Commission
Just before His ascension, Jesus said to the disciples, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.Go therefore and make disciples of all the 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” (Matthew 28:18-20).
Christ, with the authority that has been His before His incarnation, promised to strengthen His disciples to carry on His commission. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the Son of God would empower His children to reach the world with the good news of the gospel (John 16:7).
Jesus told the demon-possessed man that was healed: “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you” (Mark 5:19). Through the gift and leading of the Holy Spirit, every follower of Christ may find full support, faith and courage to testify to what the Lord has done in his life and how the Almighty has delivered him from the bondage of sin (Mark 5:19).
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In His service,
BibleAsk Team
