SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1314

“Can I Get A Witness?”

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses … to the end of the earth. – Acts 1:8

A witness is one who testifies to the truth that they know. In our secular courts of law some of us come forth willingly to be witnesses. Others must be subpoenaed, not willing to ‘get involved’.

The Word of God has much to say about being a witness in this world. The ninth commandment deals with lies and being a false witness.

You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother. – Luke 18:20

God’s Word also speaks about being a witness for the Truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. John the Baptist was a witness to this Truth about Jesus.

He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. – John 1:7

Jesus commissioned us to carry on His mission and be witnesses to the Truth of His Word.

And Jesus came and said to them, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. – Matthew 28:18-20

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. – Matthew 5:14-16

Jesus was very clear and up front about how challenging and dangerous being a Christian witness will be in the last days.

Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake. This will be your opportunity to bear witness. – Luke 21:10-13

Not one to mince words, Jesus also spoke of the consequences of being ashamed of Him and falling away, not wanting to get involved and be a witness.

For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. – Luke 9:26

Jesus also knows how frail our faith and resolve is. He warned His disciples that they would fall away at the beginning.

Peter said to him, “Even though they all fall away, I will not.” And Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” But he said emphatically, “If I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And they all said the same… And they all left him and fled…But he (Peter) began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know this man of whom you speak.” – Mark 14:29-31;50;71

But God is faithful. He does not ask us to be witnesses without equipping us with the power to do so through His Holy Spirit. The power of the Holy Spirit present at Pentecost is also available to us today.

But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. – John 15:26

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit…

But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: …Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit…

And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, …So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. – Acts 2:1-41

How do we apply this Word?

In our own day to day living, without speaking a word, is there enough observable evidence of our Christian faith to convict us in a court of law?

Is it easier to be a quiet, comfortable, chameleon Christian, blending in with the world than it is to lift the light of Jesus high?

Do we gravitate to churches that tickle our ears and avoid the ‘hard Truths’ of the Word of God?

Do we avoid calling sin as sin in order to not offend family, friends, and coworkers?

If we hide our ‘light’ now, how will we fare when real persecution comes?

If I am ashamed of Jesus now, how will I feel when He denies me and says, ‘I never knew you’?

Do we quench the Holy Spirit out of fear when prompted to speak the Truth to others?

Our Prayer

Father, I repent of my worldliness. I repent of the times I avoided proclaiming the Truth of your Word when prompted to do so. Like Peter, I am ashamed of my fear of persecution and of the times I have denied you by keeping silent and blending in with this sinful world. I ask to be baptized in the Holy Spirit, a fresh infilling as at the day of Pentecost, so that I may be equipped with your power for living in this world, as a citizen of Heaven, and a faithful witness to the Truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. Amen.