An Effective Witness

Welcome to the lifestyles of the anointed and nameless

Have you ever questioned what people are saying about you or what they think of who you are? Has it crossed your mind if the person you are trying to portray is actually being received?

Growing up I was always taught that outside of the walls of the home you are representing your parents and the family, whatever people see you do or how you act will reflect on home. This is something that directly reflects on what we call our "witness" as believers, followers and children of the living God.

How we act towards people, in all situations and in general reflects on our Father and subconsciously will shape peoples opinion on God and what we say we believe in...

As a budding leader in the body of Christ it is so important that not only the church members see you as the man or woman of God but that the world sees you as such. Once our lives have been given unto God we have become an ambassador to His kingdom. When people see us in our day to day lives, in and out of the church they ought to see a reflection of Christ versus seeing us in the natural.

^\16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

The people of this world both saved and unsaved are still people, as spiritual as some can be in various levels of faith, we started out as humans. Humans by nature believe mostly by seeing, followed by hearing and knowing. When we as believers profess that we follow Jesus Christ we now have all eyes on us. People look at us to see if what we are saying if more than just words but an actual lifestyle, solidified by faith. In all that we do, we ought to allow or portray the attributes of our Father so that the people will be drawn in and attracted to what it is that we're a part of.

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,²³ Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)

The fruit of the spirit are the characteristics of God, these are the standards by which our character should be defined. Often times we portray one or more qualities at a time but fall behind in the others. Not to say that this is an easy process, because honestly it requires work especially if they are not already active in your life. When interacting with people, these are what God has intended them to see through us, along with righteous living through the obedience of His word.

As up and coming leaders in the body, your witness unto others shapes how your ministry or ministry gift will be received, these gifts have been given by God out of His love for His people, how can one act in the gift without its fundamental loving nature?

The classic idiom says " It's easier to catch bees with honey than with vinegar", Matthew 5:13 says "You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.". Both of these allude to the metaphoric sense that we as Christians are the flavoring behind the attraction to God. Although the holy spirit is at work within those who come to Christ, we as ambassadors are the first ones they see, both walking around and in the church building. The sum of our responsibilites as Children of God and ambassadors to His kingdom in regards to our witness is found in the Great Commission:

¹⁶ Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. ¹⁷ When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. ¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:16-20)

According to this passage of scriptures we have been instructed to make disciples of all nations. Disciple by definition means "a person who is a pupil or an adherent of the doctrines of another; follower; any follower of Christ."

In conclusion, how do we accomplish our goals as described by the great commission? We as budding leaders in the body must live a life of a righteous witness, the people of God and those who are still unsaved need to be attracted not but us or the gifts we operate in but the Christ that lives within us, thus producing Galatians 5:22-23 and leading into Matthew 28:16-20. The point of an effective witness is to drawn in the people of this world to the love of God through our faith in Jesus Christ and the following of His example.

Please feel free to comment, ask questions and give respective opinions and perspectives...

And always in all things keep God first and contend for the faith!!! God Bless.