A Layman’s Thoughts…
On Witnessing

Number 4
18-March-2002

When I was a boy we used to sing a hymn in church that began, “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so.” On the train one morning, that hymn began to run through my head.  Knowing that many of the great hymns of the Church are drawn from Scripture, I decided to look for the passage from which this phrase was taken.  I found it in Psalm 107. 

I have quoted a few verses below:

 Psalm 107:1-2, 8-9 (KJV)
¹       O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
²       Let the redeemed of the LORD say is, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;

⁸       Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
⁹       For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.

In recent weeks I have thought a great deal about what it means to witness to people.  The eighth verse of Acts chapter one says, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (NIV; italics mine)

While studying the topic several passages from Ephesians, where Paul is teaching about Christian maturity, spoke to me.  In Ephesians 4 I found:

Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. (Verse 15) 

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. (Verse 25) 

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (Verse 29)  (All from the NIV; italics mine)

 I used to think witnessing meant knocking on doors or handing out Bible tracts.  Now I see that witnessing is the most natural thing possible for Christians.  As our relationship with Jesus Christ deepens and becomes more personal, it becomes nearly impossible for us to remain silent.  As Jesus said in Luke 19:40, “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

 I feel like a stone crying out.  I must witness what God has done for me.  In doing this I have found myself tempted to rely upon human reasoning.  It seemed important to find a way to convince people of my position.  Through prayer and the Scriptures above I have come to understand that convincing is not my job.  My job is to be a witness; to speak the truth in love in a way that builds others up.

 Taking this approach has resulted in deep peace and great joy.  God promises this.  To see it in our lives however, we must simply trust and obey.  To the extent we do so, the power of God is seen and He is glorified.  His strength is made perfect in our weakness. (II Corinthians 12:9, KJV)  He uses the foolish things of this world to confound the wise (I Corinthians 1:27, KJV).  Like David who was only a young shepherd, we can defeat the Goliaths in our lives by obeying God exactly and being witnesses of His great love and of the changes He makes in us by His amazing grace.