ARE YOU A WITNESS FOR JESUS OR FOR YOURSELF?
Colossians 4:5-6 (NIV) “5Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone,”
If you are truthful, how do you act around unbelievers and sinners? I’m sure there are many reasons that people give one way or the other. Some will say that Christians should not cast their pearls before swine. As for me, I look at what the Scriptures say regarding how Jesus acted toward sinners including me. Everyone has their own beliefs and that will be their witness regardless of what the Bible says. The truth will come out on judgment day. I can only repeat what the Bible says: “study to show thyself approved.” I don’t believe that any excuse will stand the fire of God.
Ephesians 5:15-16 Walk circumspectly, redeeming the time, because the days are evil, that is dangerous, or times of trouble and suffering. And towards others, or those who are within as well as those who are without.
Grace is the salt that seasons our discourse, makes it savory, and keeps it from corrupting. We need a great deal of wisdom and grace in order to give proper answers to anyone regarding their situation(s). Are you prepared to give answers to questions regarding your faith, objections to your beliefs, why does God let bad things happen to good people, etc.? Maybe people don’t see a Godly image in your life, then that is your witness!
I believe that there is a great temptation to witness to unbelievers by what a person has been taught to believe in their church or denomination instead of what the truth really is. Like I said in one of my posts: ‘Do not let the word (Bible) prevent you from knowing the Word (Jesus).’
Not everyone is on the same level of understanding the truth, so do we convince an unbeliever of the real truth by arguing and trying to convince them that our way is the only way? I observe many posts by individuals that believe their salvation plan is the only way. Usually that comes from their church or denomination. Don’t people know that there are no denominations in Heaven and there is only going to be one way and that one way is the ‘Way of Jesus Christ?’ John 17:11 [Jesus prayed] Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they be one as We are. 1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I plead with you brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
The Bible makes it very clear that false teachers will cause many people into believing false doctrines. In order for you to know that you are right with God is to come to know Him through His Son, Jesus Christ and to trust Him rather than men. Matthew 7:15-16 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits.
1 John 4 (KJV) 1Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God.
Are you going to rely on what men teach about your salvation or are you going to seek and find the truth.
Jeremiah 29:13 (NASB) And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for me with all your heart.
Matthew 7:7 (NASB) ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find, knock, and it shall be opened to you.
John 8:31-32 (NASB) Jesus therefore was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you abide in my word, then you are truly disciples of mine; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
When you hear or read verses like these, do you really understand what God is saying to you? There is only one teacher that we can know for sure that speaks the
Truth when He speaks and that is the Holy Spirit. This privilege is not given to everyone. It is given only to those that are born again. Those who surrender their life to Jesus and He becomes Lord of your life. The phrase “born again” literally means “born from above.” John 3:3-7 Jesus speaks of this.
In conclusion, I have to ask, are you serious about your salvation in Jesus Christ or is it something that takes second place? I believe that God takes the salvation plan very seriously because of the suffering and sacrifice that His Son went through so that you could be part of His Kingdom. Jesus died and shed His blood for you because He loves you. Do you love Him? Love to all.