WITNESSING: A CHRISTIAN VOCATION 1
Witnessing could be described as communicating God’s plan of salvation to unbelievers on a personal basis. Presenting the gospel to a lost and dying world is the responsibility of every believer. Our Lord Jesus Christ commissioned all born again Christians to carry the Gospel to the end of the earth. Become “Fishers of men” is the first requirement made of the disciples of Jesus Christ after the call to follow Him. It’s also the last command of the Savior and Lord to His Church “Go ye into the world and proclaim, announce and preach the Gospel.” “You shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and even to the remotest part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). As appointee of the King of glory and the Lord of all, we represent Him on earth as Ambassador (2 Cor. 5:20). We shall do the work of the king of kings in His prescribed ways.
Witnessing is the responsibility of every Christian which we are called to accept and know; to represent and present Christ (2 Cor. 5:19-20; John 17:18-20). It is the only solution for human immorality and deficiencies (disobedience) as well as reconciliation with God for eternity (Rom. 6:23; John 3:36). The basic knowledge of witnessing involves the person of Jesus Christ and His accomplishments on the cross –the doctrine of unlimited atonement (1 John 2:2) – Christ died for all. It’s a learned process and acquired experience that follow when you know Christ and lead others to Him. Too much zeal and too little knowledge is a dangerous combination – gives a distorted or inaccurate picture of the gospel. Your spiritual growth or maturity sequel to your own assurance of salvation (conviction) enhances your positive mentality and resolve in witnessing (John 10:28; 15:2-16; 2Pt 5:18). Believers are agents of witnessing but the power for witnessing and conviction of the believers comes from God, the Holy Spirit (John 16:7-11). Witnessing Christians communicate in two ways: (i) The word of our lips (what we say and how we say it) 2 Cor. 5:18-21; 6:2) and (ii) An exemplary life (our behavior or lifestyle) 2 Cor. 3:3; 6:3. The reward for witnessing is a part of our blessings in time (life) and eternity (Dan 12:3). It’s God’s will and desire that everyone believe and not perish in everlasting separation from God (2 Peter 3:9; Luke 9:56).
We are saved because somebody someday told us about Jesus. If we did not hear the Good News, we may have been living in darkness, groaning and travailing in pains and sorrow up till this day. God revealed His love to us so that we live it and through us others may come to God by faith in Christ. If we have found Christ, the solution to all human sins, we should not be reluctant to tell it to our families, relatives, friends and colleagues as well as neighbors; those living in immorality, in fears of life, in abject poverty and who are sick as well as possessed by the devil. The world is waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God, to hear the truth about salvation [God’s saving grace].
Writing in, The whole world is waiting for you, Pastor Sunday Adelaja says, “Only God can deliver people from the curse of sin, from bondage to futility or whatever else it is that causes suffering. This is why God heals the sick, when they come to Church and deliver them from alcoholism and drug addiction.” He added people need freedom, this freedom that only Christians have. Each one of us can testify how, when we turned to God and accepted Christ; we were set free from spiritual bondage. And this freedom that each one of us has is something that those in captivity of sin would like to have. As a matter of fact, that is what they have been searching and seeking for in wrong quarters. We are called to set the world free through the power of the Gospel. God saved us; has chosen us and entrusted us with other people’s destinies. As Christians, our vocation and our mission are to preach the Gospel and tell people about the love of God exhibited in Christ sufferings, death and resurrection (Isaiah 43:10-12; Acts 5:30-32; 10:38-39).
DISCIPLESHIP IS GOD’S COMMISSION: The Great commission is not an option but a command. Witnessing involves telling the story of our salvation; how Jesus’ death and resurrection saved mankind and us in particular. We are called to share our heartfelt faith in Christ: what He has personally done to change our lives. No one can tell our story better than ourselves. However, discipleship is summed up in the Great Commission. It’s more than being a believer; it’s about being a follower. There are great decisions to make and prices to pay. Discipleship include witnessing, bringing people in, training and exposing them to the love inside; mentoring, grooming them and sending them out to reach the unreached. We become the Gospel and letters that people read to become saved. When Andrew found Christ, he went first to invite his own brother Simon, whom Jesus named, Peter. Jesus Christ found Philip himself and Philip found Nathaniel [John1: 40-41, 43-45]. Since you became a Christian, have you brought any person to Christ? (Matt. 28:18b-20; John 12:25-26).
Reach: Evangelist/Elder Ogbonnaya, Godswill at: Email: weefreeministries@yahoo.com; Web: weefreeministries.org OR P. O. Box 720035, Houston, Texas, 77272. Phone: 832.881.3929©.