And with great power the apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all (Acts 4: 33)
Let us begin our devotion by reviewing some facts.
- Not all Christians are called to be preachers but all are called to be witnesses to the Lord Jesus Christ
- Witnessing is not preaching, that is why people who cannot preach can become effective witnesses. And it is the reason why prostitutes, drug addicts, moslems, criminals, occultists etc, who do not know scriptures or church terminologies can still witness to people for them to repent.
So what is witnessing? And how does one witness?
Preaching is basically unfolding the truths of God from the scriptures and usually with every day events to illustrate it. But witnessing is giving a testimony to something. It is testifying to something, and for a Christian, you testify to what the resurrected Jesus has done for you or in your life since meeting Him. And anyone who has encountered the glorified Jesus or have been with Him for a while can testify to the change and transforming power of Christ in his or her life. Usually this change and transformation are evident and recognisable by your family, neighbours., friends, workmates, schoolmates. They see the change in your words, habits, character, desires and passions, even dressing. I bet you they would even give you nicknames to reflect that change.
In Acts 4: 13, we are told that when the authorities saw the boldness and outspoken words of Peter and John and perceived that they were common men, uneducated and untrained, they were shocked. Then they realized that these people have been with Jesus. So Peter and John were not just speaking words but their lives harmonised with their words that Jesus is alive and that faith in His name heals, saves and empowers people.
The fact is, if you are a Christian, then you might have encountered the Risen Jesus one way or the other, or you might have been with Him or acquainted with Him and if these are true, then you have a testimony to tell about Him with your life to vindicate it.
Please, don't confuse Jehovah Witnesses on streets with what Jesus said we will be to Him. Our lives become the spring board to launch Jesus that He is alive, and people can't resist or deny that. No body denied Saul of Tarsus, who became Paul, accounts of his encounter with the Risen Jesus. He was prepared and ready to die for that testimony. Yours may not be dramatic like Paul, but it still is an encounter if it did change you and transform you to become a discipline of Jesus.
So from today you have no excuse not to witness or to be a witness unto the Lord. People are ready to hear and see your testimony and I bet you only Heaven can tell what it will do to people.
May you from today begin to testify and be the witness the Lord is calling you to be unto Him. And may people be blessed, be saved and be challenged by your testimony. And may you not loose your reward in Jesus name. Amen
Shalom, life and grace to you
Moving people onto God's purposes
