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What is Witnessing?

Anyone who has been in church, or been a Christian, for any length of time was likely invited there by someone who witnessed to them about Jesus Christ.  And I'm sure that many of us have heard preachers or teachers try to explain to us how to be a witness to others as well.  Throughout much of the Bible we are encouraged to be a witness for the Lord.  Jesus tells us in Mark 16:15, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation."  And in Acts 1:8 we read, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

But what does that really mean?  And how do we do it?  I've been blessed to be a part of prayer walks and other outreach type ministries in efforts to witness to people.  While it can be rewarding and all, it can also be stressful.  I would often times put too much pressure on myself feeling like it was my job to lead this person to Christ and if they didn't accept him that day, I had failed.  Rick Warren offers what I believe is one of the best analogies of witnessing I have ever read: "In a courtroom, a witness isn't expected to argue the case, prove the truth, or press for a verdict; that is the job of attorneys.  Witnesses simply report what happened to them or what they saw."  He goes on in his book, The Purpose Driven Life, to add that Jesus did not say that we would be his attorney, but rather that we would be his witnesses (Acts 1:8).

Man did that just make witnessing easier or what!?  I don't have to prove anything to someone, or persuade or argue with them to accept Christ.  I just have to tell them what He has done in my life.  Don't we all know that story?  I know my past, my experiences, and what I've been through.  We don't have to know the whole Bible to present what Jesus has done, we are a living examples of his work.  "But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect" - 1 Peter 3:15.  If we believe that Christ is Lord, we have hope, and all we're called to do is give others a reason for that hope in a respectful, non-argumentative way. 

Lord, help me remember that I'm just a witness of the amazing things you've done in this world.  I'm not capable of saving anyone.  That can be done only through your Holy Spirit.  But I pray that give me the words and actions necessary to live my life in a way that others see you in me.

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