While studying God’s Word I became acutely aware that I’m guilty of not obeying the number one command of God, which is to witness for Christ. I’m a believer who has accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior so I know I that God in his love, mercy and grace has given me eternal life in heaven in his presence. I’m in no personal jeopardy of losing my soul if I don’t witness for Christ but Scripture makes it clear I’ll lose potential rewards in heaven for disobeying God on the one thing closest to his heart. God chose me to be saved, to become a child of God, before the foundation of the world was laid. With my selection as a child of the Most High God comes great responsibility. God commands me and all believers to witness for Christ, to share the gospel message with all people and all nations.
Luke 12:48 – (Jesus speaking) – But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much more will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask more.
Romans 1:16 – For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek (Gentile).
1 Thessalonians 2:4 – But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.
The Apostles provide us examples how to share the gospel message of Christ. Few of us will ever face the opposition and persecution the Apostles endured. It’s highly unlikely any of us will end up being martyred for preaching the gospel like the Apostles. The Apostolic example I’m referring to is the passion for God they all exhibited once they were filled with the Holy Spirit. The Apostles had a plan for sharing the “good news” of the gospel with the world and then they went forth boldly witnessing for Christ to all people and all nations. If we can captured just a fraction of their boldness and passion for Christ we can do great things for the kingdom of God. Don’t just sit back and let the other guy witness for Christ and reap souls for the kingdom of God. Don’t say to yourself, I’ve got my salvation, let the other guy worry about his own salvation. God leaves believers here on earth primarily to witness for Christ and to help harvest those lost souls for the kingdom of God. Make no mistake, we’ll all be judged on the last day on how well we shared the gospel message.
1 Peter 3:15 – But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you.
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 – Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.
2 Corinthians 5:9 – Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.
Let’s think about this. There are roughly 2.5 billion Christians in the world. There are 1.5 billion Catholics and their priests discourage witnessing because they want salvation to run through their hands exclusively. To promote Christ would be counterproductive to their unscriptural church doctrines. The Catholic Pope has made himself the dispenser of salvation and turned Jesus into a cookie used only during mass. Jesus is given lip service by the Catholic church but in reality Jesus has been stripped of his honor and glory by the Catholic church.
Proverbs 11:30 – The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.
Proverbs 14:25 – A true witness delivers souls.
James 1:22 – But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
That’s probably why I’ve never run across a Catholic who witnesses for Christ. Catholics leave salvation in the hands of the Pope and his priests. To put it bluntly, Catholics simply don’t obey the “great commission” Jesus gave all believers which is to witness for Christ to all the world. Then we have the one billion Protestant Christians and their denominations. Some church denominations push personal witnessing more than others. I’m a Southern Baptist and Baptists probably do as good a job of urging members to witness for Christ as anyone. But even the Baptists don’t do any more than say “go witness”. Church members aren’t really told how to witness. They certainly don’t receive any personal training, encouragement and support when it comes to witnessing.
1 Peter 2:9 – But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 – All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
Colossians 3:2 – Set your mind on things above, not on things of the earth.
What it boils down to is very few saved Christians boldly witness for Christ no matter what denomination they are. What witnessing is done is done poorly and infrequently. Not one Christian in a hundred can witness worth a damn. If you want to be a good witness for Christ you’re going to have to do it on your own. Study God’s Word so you know it well. Learn the different paths Pastors use to bring people to the decision of accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior. I prefer what’s know as the Roman road to salvation by using primarily the book of Romans to guide unbelievers to Christ. Others prefer using the book of John. Everyone who witnesses has their own personal method that works best for them. Any sinner’s prayer can walk someone through the steps of salvation but it’s not always that easy.
2 Peter 3:18 – But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.
2 Timothy 2:15 – Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Proverbs 23:12 – Apply your heart to instruction, and your ear to words of knowledge.
Some unbelievers may have questions about God and you need to be able to answer those questions when asked. To be an effective witness you need to put in the time to study God’s Word so you have the knowledge, understanding and spiritual insight to answer questions unbelievers may have in their search for God. Without faith you can’t please God and without witnessing you can’t please Jesus Christ. When it gets right down to it, almost all Christians are guilty before God of not witnessing for Christ enough or for doing a poor job of whatever witnessing they are able to do. I’m not just pointing fingers at others. I also judge myself as guilty but I’m trying to rectify the the situation through the study and application of God’s Word. Sometimes it’s easy to see what must be done but usually much harder to see that it gets done.