LIVING A LIFE OF WITNESS

“The Christian is a person who makes it easy for other people to believe in God. ” Robert Murray M’Cheyne

Followers of Jesus are called to let their transformed lives reflect God’s love, grace, and power, serving as a powerful, ongoing testimony to others. This living witness is not solely about evangelistic preaching but about reflecting Christ in our actions, attitudes, and reactions, becoming a “living testimony” that draws people to God.

Matthew 5:16 says, “In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” We all witness through our actions.  Our witness in action can show both to God and to other persons what is important to us, what we value. We can demonstrate through our actions that we have learned to love others, to care for the sick – in other words, that His love is working through us. Of course, if we do not act in these ways,  we risk having the opposite effect.

Jesus suggested these particular ways for us to demonstrate our love in action and to witness to God’s love in us. Jesus said,  “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples” (John 13:34-35). But the ways we act are only a part of our witness. God also calls us to witness with our voices. God wants us to share our stories – stories that testify to the ways God’s love, grace, and forgiveness have impacted our lives.

Why be a witness? The quick and easy answer is that Jesus asked us to be witnesses.  A life dedicated to Christ is a powerful testimony. Paul describes such a life in 2 Corinthians 1:12, “We can say with confidence and a clear conscience that we have lived with a God-given holiness and sincerity in all our dealings. We have depended on God’s grace, not on our own human wisdom. That is how we have conducted ourselves before the world, and especially toward you.” When our actions align with the words coming from our lips, our testimony will be viewed as credible.

We all have met that person who, from first blush, you just knew there was something different about them.  They are joyful when there doesn’t seem to be a reason to be. They have an undeniable light behind their actions, not intimidating but intriguing. It makes you wonder why you don’t have a light and purpose like that. Their faith in Jesus was the source. God can work through any of us in the same way. Our actions, as well as our words, can be a witness to Christ.

When a believer shares what Jesus has done in his life and serves God and others in tangible ways, he will increasingly be with Jesus, become like Jesus, and do what Jesus did.

Discussion Questions:

1. How has following Jesus made a significant difference in your life, and how would you explain that to someone who doesn’t know Him?
2. How do your daily actions reflect Jesus’ love and teachings?
3. What are practical ways to demonstrate Christ’s presence in your life through service and a positive attitude?