Can I Get a Witness? – Part 2

James 1:19-20 “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”

Continuing Pastor Kyle’s message from the last post, of the 7 keys to being a better witness to Jesus Christ, (2) is to make the goal of every conversation to listen and hear (not hear and judge). It is said that we have two ears and one mouth so that we listen twice as much as we speak. Listen with your whole self and an ear up to the Holy One, without judgment. They may just want to vent or communicate privately their concerns to a trusted and caring friend. Strive for just thoughts and emotions in prayer, in devotion, faith and a godly heart.

Romans 5:1-4 “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that,

but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.”

(3) Remember that your private witness is what gives power to your public witness. Character counters. Be a bright and burning lamp for Christ, as you are the light of the world – salt and light for Jesus, the Lord and Savior of the world. Be a light that shines on the path to God, telling others of the difference that Christ has made in your life. As 1 Peter 2:4-6 says, “Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, ‘Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.’”

(4) Share how you have seen God’s power despite your pain. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 says, And He (the Lord) said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” God blesses the broken road of life and one of the greatest witnesses to God is your accomplishments and blessings through the trials, tribulations and pain … and finding God through it. It comes down to faith.

Romans 3:23 “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” 1 John 5:11-12 “God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.” Luke 13:28 “There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out.”

(5) Never sugarcoat the gospel. Jesus is not on trial, we are. Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Don’t ignore the “good” that Jesus did and is doing for you. No one gets to heaven except by Him (the Savior of the world). Do we live by secular cultural beliefs which lead to eternity in Hellfire and damnation or in the gospel truth of the Bible which leads to eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven? Is the love of God in our heart? Be blunt on salvation issues. (6) Be extremely careful professing to know where someone is with God. 1 Corinthians 2:11 tells us, “For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him?” It is our omniscient (all-knowing) Creator who looks at the heart of men and women. The Spirit gives us spiritual gifts and supernatural insight for ministry, but it is best to have others come to the conclusion about their eternal home all on their own.

(7) Lastly, find affirmation in God alone. Do not look to man-made affirmation. We do not need other gods nor that peer-pressure in our lives. God is our providence. The children of God, saved by faith, are living stones that testify to the Lord and reflect His image – who He is, what He doe and what he is doing. The question is, Can I get a witness?

In Christ, Brian