"Preach Always, When Necessary Use Words" (St Francis of Assisi)
From my observations the churches teachings on witnessing are woefully inadequate. I believe there is a huge misunderstanding about how we should be witnesses for Jesus Christ. I believe we throw witnessing into this box and label it “handing out tracts” or “ambushing unsuspecting folks at the mall” or “knocking on random doors”. Witnessing seems to be taught as something we need to mentally prepare for. “Ok, now it’s time for us to all go out and witness about Jesus Christ to these unsaved folks.” Instead witnessing should be taught as a way of life for Christians, an active part of our worship, an integral part of our lives.
Witnessing was never intended to be like flipping a switch or turning on your car or flexing a muscle. It should be part of who you are. Witnessing is something that grows as you grow in Christ. However, there’s no knighting process. You’ll never reach this point of being good enough or sinless enough or faithful enough to witness to anyone and you don’t have to. Jesus Christ reached this point for you. The second you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and savior is the second you’re ready to witness. However, what is witnessing?
The Bible teaches “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). This has always been the churches banner for Christian’s to take the Word to the unbelieving world. However, many misconceptions have been born from these verses. First it states "ALL" nations (this includes the one you're living in), not just OTHER nations. Secondly, it must be taken in context. Who was Jesus’ audience? This teaching was originally focused on the 11 apostles. However, during Jesus Christ’s teaching to the masses on the beatitudes He discussed witnessing, which supports the great commission (or rather the Great Commission supports the beatitudes). Matthew 5:13-16. Particularly verse 16, supports the interpretation that witnessing is a way of life for Christians much more then a planned event.
Of course there are hindrances and obstacles to living an effective life filled with the love of Jesus Christ. Other people, even friends and family, can do the work of the enemy in our lives through discouragement and sharing bad advice. I’ve seen this in my life and the lives of many others. I recently read an article from another blog in which the author was sharing one of his witnessing experiences. He relayed his story of randomly coming across an unsaved man and his subsequent desire and attempts to discuss Jesus Christ with this unbeliever. He shared that, unfortunately, others have laughed at his attempt to witness and told him that he ought to get his faith in order before telling others about it. This is without a doubt a lie straight from hell! A lie fabricated in order to render him ineffective by taking away his joy and confidence in Christ. Satan can’t take away our salvation, but he can rob us of our joy, if we allow him to. This is a prime example of why we need to be in prayer, the word and fellowship with other believers. From what I read this man is doing all of these, so I’m sure God will show him the error in this bad advise others have wickedly shared with him, concerning witnessing about Jesus Christ. However, many Christians I know, or have known, don’t have this support system and so they can live the rest of their lives never sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with anyone. How sad and how selfish.
Is being sinful and full of doubts a valid reason to not witness to others?
I would like to briefly point out a few biblical examples of the types of people God used and how sinful and how doubting they were. From these examples I hope to present a solid biblical truth that God doesn’t require our perfection in order for His will to be done or His glory to be revealed in our lives. As you will see God works through the sinful doubters.
1. Gideon (Judges 6)
Was the self-professing “least of his family” (Judges 6:15). He asked the Lord for 3 signs. He doubted the Lord even after acknowledging the presence of an angel (Judges 6:22). However, Gideon continued to doubt the Lord up to the 3rd sign and even still God provided him with a 4th, unsolicited sign (Judges 7:9-11) to encourage Gideon. God ultimately used Gideon to glorify Himself and rescue Israel.
2. Jonah
His hatred for the Assyrians far exceeded his desire to obey God. In this sin Jonah disobeyed God and ran from Him. However, God once again reveals His mercy to Jonah through His patient teachings. Instead of striking Jonah dead for his disobedience God takes the time to allow Jonah to see the error of his ways and repent during his 3 days in the belly of a fish (Jonah 1:17), while also allowing for a precursor to Jesus Christ (Matthew 16:4). Even after this, and after Jonah was finally obedient to God (Jonah 3:3), Jonah still desired the destruction of Ninevah, even though he knew God’s intentions (Jonah 4:2). Even at this point, during Jonah’s sin, pride and selfishness, God still spent the time to teach Jonah about life and His good will. Through God’s patience and love Jonah’s words were used to save a nation from His fierce anger.
3. King David
Who committed adultery (2 Samuel 11:4) and murder (2 Samuel 11:14-15), repented, was forgiven (2 Samuel 12:13) and used of God.
If someone claiming to be a Christian claims that a particular level of maturity of mind and faith, is needed to witness, they are wrong. Any wisdom or glory we have is found in Jesus Christ alone and perfection (through Him) only understood after we pass from this world.
1 Corinthians 13:8-12
I can’t strongly encourage Christians enough to continue to pursue opportunities to witness to others whether through your life or with words. Don’t worry about failure and don't be afraid to invest in others for the glory of the kingdom. More then likely this worry comes more from selfish pride then concern for the glory of Jesus Christ. We don’t cause a person to grow in Christ (1 Corinthians 3:6), so why take on this burden? Really, who cares if you fall on your face witnessing to someone? God is bigger then any of us and the forgiveness Jesus Christ bought for us is bigger then anything we could ever do. Christians should always be real and honest about their relationship with the Lord, but always keep in mind it’s about Jesus Christ, not any of us. 1 Corinthians 2:2
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