I pose a statement for you today, unless you are witnessing for the glory of God, you have not been saved by the grace of God.
I believe every Old Testament prophet, every apostle, every first century Christian would agree with this statement, but I also believe that nearly everyone who professes to serve the Lord today would want to debate it.
“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15 was not written for them, but for those called into the missionary field, which they are happy to toss a few extra coins into the plate when they come by the church to visit.
“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” Matthew 10:16 was specific only for those that the Lord was speaking to that day, or at best requires a special calling from the Lord before they might ever consider witnessing for Him, and that verified by a fleece several times.
“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15 does not mean speaking to others about Him, about reaching out to the lost, reproving and correcting in love those that are trapped in religious cults. At best it means trying to be the best person, the best Christian they can be.
“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25 is the verse that those who will not witness for Christ person to person like the best, for the obligation is easy to fulfill, all it requires is a little bit of their time once a week. Show up to church, live the best life you can, don’t cuss or swear too much, work hard, take care of your family, and give a little extra on those special days.
That is what a Christian, a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ means to those who will not ask a complete stranger, “Who do you say Jesus Christ is?”
Witnessing to people of the Lord Jesus Christ for the glory of God to them seems judgmental, it seems pushy, intrusive into the lives of those they meet. It makes them feel Pharisaical, as if they are the one at the wall saying, “God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.” (Luke 18:11) These people would rather watch others walk into hell than take the chance of being embarrassed, much less persecuted.
When the first century Christians, yea, even those throughout the centuries met in darkened homes and caves to praise the Most High for fear of persecution and were later captured, they did not deny Him, some suffered horribly and died for their faith. They stood firm on the foundation that is Jesus Christ. Our brothers and sisters who will come after us in the great Tribulation will be the same, “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” (Rev. 12:11)
“This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.” (Matt. 15:8) And then only in church on Sunday morning, and if the sermon begins to run late, they begin to look at their timepieces, thinking about the things of the world they are missing out on.
No, my friends, if you are not speaking to others of the salvation offered by the Lord God Almighty through faith in His Son the Lord Jesus Christ to people, you are not saved, you are deceiving yourself.
Have you shown off your new car, your new dress or watch, did you invite your friends to come see your new house? And you will not introduce them to the One you claim to serve as Lord and Master, the One that you claim to hold in the highest esteem in your heart.
If this letter resonates with you, here is your verse for the day, “But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.” (Matt. 10:33)
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” (Gal. 6:7) If you are not sowing the Word of God, you will not receive what you thought belonged to you, eternal life.
Consider these words intently.
