|
We are indeed living in perilous times (II Tim. 3:1-5). We see churches turning more worldly rather than more Godly (II Th 2:3). We see church members living silently, trying not to draw attention to their beliefs. They use the excuse that we are to live before men so that they may see our Godly lives and give glory to God (Mt 5:16). This does not in any way excuse us from taking the Gospel to others verbally and publicly (Mk 16:15). The way we live before the world is meant to be the very impetus that gives credence to what we say when we tell others about the hope in our heart and soul. This is what makes it so important for us to live Godly lives. It strenghtens what we say. This is the reason the church should cast off the world and embrace Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ did not come to give us worldly social centers. We are a called out people;
- 1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:
When we live like the world, what testimony do you have when you try to tell others what Jesus can do for them. We see more and more churches denying Godliness and accepting worldliness in attempts to build up their numbers and be agreeable to the world. They are trying to appease by acceptance. We are supposed to accept the sinner, rejecting the sin (Jn 5:14). God has called us to live holy, separated to him:
- 2Pe 3:11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
- 2Pe 3:12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
- 2Pe 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
- 2Pe 3:14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
I visited a church recently where the sanctuary was empty and the services were held on a basketball court in the gym of the church. I was one of the few that even had a suit on. Most were in T-shirts and shorts. There was no reverence.
- 1Pe 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
- 1Pe 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
The word conversation as here used in the Old English means conduct. Children were running all over the place, running around during service, talking, and chewing gum with open mouths. I was appalled at the circus like atmosphere. You would not know by the people that you were supposed to be in a house of prayer, worship, and praise. We were not called as Christians to be more like the world. We were called out of the world. This does not mean physically, but morally, spiritually and effectively. Actually, we are told that when we accept the Lord Jesus Christ as our savior, the world would hate us (Jn 15:18). We are actually told that we will suffer persecution if we live Godly for Jesus (II Tm 3:12).
One thing that has brought this about is the false teaching that a man of God has to have that all important “Sheepskin” of man hanging on the wall. Learning and education are important for the man of God to be well equipped, but it is like sounding brass or tinkling cymbals (Just a pretty sound) if they do not possess the power and presence of the Holy Spirit in their ministry giving them the ability to see and understand spiritual things. It is only when they have been born again and possess the Holy Spirit that they can be effective as a minister of Christ. Building an education in the scriptures after a sure salvation and calling of God on their lives is the only way to build the house of God upon the chief corner stone which is Jesus Christ. This is the kind of church that the “gates of hell cannot prevail against”. This is the kind of church where you see workers going out to their neighbors and their community, telling as they go.
Giving money to send missionaries to every country in the world does not excuse us from the personal responsibility we have as individuals to tell others what Jesus has done for us. One of the most important things a Christian can do is to effectively tell others what the Lord Jesus Christ has done for them. Jesus clearly taught that if we are ashamed of him, he would be ashamed of us (Mk 8:38, Lk 9:26). In the past, churches had scripture memorization contest trying to get people to learn scriptures that would make them a more effective witness. I am not against these programs but lost people can memorize as good as a saved person. For the Christian worker to be effective, God’s word has to be hidden in the heart. This method of learning is the only truly effective way of witnessing. You ask, how can I hide God’s word in my heart? Is that not what memorization does? No, memorization puts it in your brain. Falling in love with the Lord Jesus Christ is what puts it into our heart. Psa 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Look at the reason the scriptures give for hiding God’s word in our heart (Not to win a contest, but, that I might not sin against thee). When I read God’s word with a sincere and true love for Jesus Christ in my heart and I read where God is a shield and a buckler to them who trust in him, it means He is these things to me also. Psa 18:2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. It is overwhelming to me to know that God is my rock (a place of sure standing) because of Jesus, He is my fortress (a secure and defendable hiding place I can run to when the storms of sin, temptation, or the world try to swamp my soul), my deliverer (the one who saves me from the consequences of my sin and from my enemies), My God (I will worship you with my whole heart), my strength (I can do all things through Christ, which strenghteneth me), my trust (I have placed all my hope in Jesus), my buckler (Jesus is my armour against the enemy), the horn of my salvation (all to Jesus, I surrender), my high tower (my all powerful refuge). I am trying to say that to be an effective witness for the Lord Jesus Christ, you must love him. If your motive is for any other reason, you will be ineffective.
So how do I witness? God teaches us to be of a humble spirit, not offensive, bragging about ourselves. and condemning them. We are supposed to talk from our heart Magnifying and lifting up the Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit of God will do his office work. It is His responsibility to convince them (Jn 16:8) of sin (personal need) and of righteousness (their need for Jesus) and of judgment to come (the consequences of rejecting Christ Jesus). He will direct the conversation and take control as you the desciple submit to His leadership. The greatest tool you have is the testimony of your salvation (Rv 12:11). Never pretend to know what you do not and don’t expect yourself to have all of the answers to every question that can be brought up. You will make mistakes but never let those mistakes deter you from going. Try to find a Bible believing Church where they have a good outreach program to settle into and learn. Get with someone who is experienced to go with, pray before going and be in a constant attitude of prayer. You will find that as you get deeper into the waters of being a witness for Christ that there will be opportunities throughout your every day to tell others about the Love of God that is to be had in Jesus Christ our savior. As you study God’s word, you will come to know important scriptures that you will use more often than others but the entire word of God is useful and indeed needed to be an effectual fervent witness for Christ.
You need to be in a good Bible believing church to effectively grow in grace and be a good witness for the Lord Jesus Christ. So what are good things to look for when searching for a good church? The Bible gives us the traits to look for when searching for a good church. It is NOT a place with a lot of programs designed to offer alternatives for worldliness. The Bible tells us to get away from these (II Cor. 6:14-17). God said His house would be called a house of prayer (Mt 21:13, Mk 11:17, Lk 19:46). It will be a place of holiness (II Co. 7:1). It will be a place of worship and praise. It will be a place of compassion (Godly love). It will be a place of outreach. It will be a place of brotherly love. It will be a place where faith in Christ is taught and preached. It will be a place where your soul can be fed the truths of God’s word. It will be a place where Jesus Christ is lifted up and man is minimized. You will find the message of the Gospel taught, preached, and lived. It will be a place where tears are shed because of sin and those same tears are wiped away with the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ. It will be a place where your heart can rejoice. It will be a place where you can fall on your face before God and everyone will not be ashamed of you.
The first time you effectively lead someone into a saving relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, you will know the true value of witnessing. When you see these souls for whom Christ died coming to church and becoming strong in the Lord, it will build a fire in your very soul to want others to know this wonderful love of Jesus, which truly does pass all understanding (Ph. 4:7).
The time is getting shorter before we as God’s children hear that midnight cry. Pray that you have oil in your lamp and your wick is trimmed and burning when Jesus comes (Mt 25:6-10, Lk 12:35). Is our loved ones saved? Are those we know? Do they know you are a Christian or do they just recognize that you go to church?
|
