HOW YOU CAN —
WITNESS FOR CHRIST-
How
should you witness for Christ? Wrong witnessing has caused heartache
and grief. Learn how you can PROPERLY witness for Christ.
Why
is it that nowhere in the pages of The Good News magazine can you
find any reference to the Church of God missionaries in China, in the
Congo, in Brazil or in the Arctic regions of Eskimo land?
Are we
failing in a major commission from Christ, the Living Head of His
Church, when He commanded, "Ye shall be witnesses unto me . . . unto
the uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1:8)?
How can the world be alerted to the terrible calamities that are already beginning to occur unless it receives our witness?
Will God hold you responsible if you fail to witness for Christ? If so, HOW should you witness for Christ?
Witnesses Continue to Witness
We
know this to be the one True Church of God carrying out the
end-time commission to a dying world. Yet many other churches are
vigorously engaged in vast missionary programs, expending millions of
dollars in missionary expeditions, schools and medical programs for the
underprivileged peoples of the world in far-away places. Are
these also witnessing for Christ?
Are the many
and varied religions preaching the name of Christ, after all, carrying
out the commission for Christ in making known the very name of the
Saviour in these areas of the world? Are they really doing God a
service, saving the Church of the Living God untold expenses, and
preparing the way for The World Tomorrow broadcast in many of these
places where ignorance of the name of Christ would have to be overcome?
The
name of Jesus Christ is being carried by these missionaries to all the
far corners of the world—and still over one-half of the
population of this world has never even heard that name! Faced
with this astounding fact—we should be vitally concerned over exactly
what Christ expects us to do about it. We know that the end of the age
is very close at hand. Are we falling down on this great commission?
"And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for
a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come" (Matt. 24:14).
That is a direct commission!
The Urge to Witness
Scores
of letters from members in God's Church testify to the fact that God's
people are filled with the urge to witness to others. Listeners to The
World Tomorrow program the world over are thrilled to report results,
both good and bad, of their witnessing for Christ.
Here's an
excerpt from such a letter: "My seven-year-old son just finished
his first year of school. I teach him against pagan traditions.
The teacher had those who had been to Sunday school hold up their
hands. He didn't, so she asked him why not. He said it was the Devil' s
day."
Consider this person's attitude. She was happy over her
son's prompt rejoinder. Was she happy only that her son knew the
truth?—or was she proud of her son's boldness in "witnessing"?
The
urge to "witness" is a universal urge—but it can be a tool of Satan the
Devil! Some of us have put ourselves, unwittingly, into his
hands.
"Witnesses" support their proselyting excursions with
these scriptures: "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him
will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever
shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which
is in heaven" (Matt. 10:32, 33). Also, "If thou shalt confess with thy
mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath
raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man
believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made
unto salvation" (Rom. 10:9, 10). Again, "Whosoever therefore shall be
ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation;
of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the
glory of his Father with the holy angels" (Mark 8:38). Are they
right?
Has God charged each of us to proclaim the Gospel to
unwilling ears ? We need to understand. What responsibility has God
rested upon us as His servants — Christians — His begotten children ?
Most are pursuing the wrong way!
The Wrong Way
A
young teen-age girl writes: "Mamma burnt a picture of Santa Claus that
one of Daddy's friends gave him and in turn Daddy burnt all of our
[Bible Correspondence] courses. I am sorry to have to quit it. I would
love to take it."
Some are incensed to anger over the idolatrous
practices of those around, and the anger of this girl's mother exploded
into unwise actions. That is not the way to witness for Christ.
Though sincere in what she did, the
results—the fruits—backfired instantly upon her!
Another
very enthusiastic follower of Christ, with misguided zeal, writes:
teach the teen-age class in our church and have discarded our
denomination quarterly and have embarked on a study of the Bible as it
is written. Would you please send me all of the available publications
that you offer, that I might be guided in the right paths. I have the
opportunity of helping shape these young minds. Since we have started
this method of conducting our Sunday school class, enthusiasm has been
at an all-time high." From literally hundreds of sad experiences of
others we can predict that this man is headed straight for one of the
most shocking disa pointments that can come to any i dividual. His days
as a teacher of your people in that denomination are numbered!
These
are just a very few examples of overjealous individuals. There are
other far more tragic instances that have wrecked
homes and lives.
Ignorance Is Dangerous
Some
have shrugged off persecution —reveled in a sense of martyrdom-quoting
Christ, "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to
send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against
his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in
law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his
own household" (Matt. 10:34-36). Ignorance over "witnessing" has caused
broken homes, physical violence and even death!
Known instances
are all too numerous in which such individuals have been committed to
mental institutions as being fanatically unbalanced— unsafe to mingle
with society. These are the reported cases! Scores of others are never
reported!
Brethren, we need to heed! Many thousands of you are
suffering unnecsarily. We are forced to conclude that there is
hardly a family (in the very Body of Christ) that is free of guilt in
this very grave fault. It is NOT too Late for change! Turn
about! Go the way of Christ! Not the way that seems
right to you (Prov. 16:25) !
Confused Individuals
So
many in spiritually divided homes are baffled because their mates or
their relatives fail to understand the plain Word of God. They preach
endlessly to no avail. The literature left lying around is all too
obvious, but it fails to rouse any spark of interest.
One man,
now active in God's Work, for years could not be used at all because of
his endless devices to "cram his religion down his wife's throat." Her
violent reactions brought their marriage to the brink of divorce.
Desperate to save his marriage, he yielded to advice wholeheartedly.
Thereafter he never allowed religious matters to be discussed under any
circumstances in his home.
He listened to The World Tomorrow
broadcast in the privacy of his car, he arranged his study and prayer
time so that it never interfered with any of the family activities. He
resumed taking his family to activities that they had formerly loved so
much. He began to live once more with his family! His light began to
shine. The results were phenomenal!
No longer was his wife on
the defensive. The "din" had ceased. She began to note remarkable
changes in his personality, his character. What she saw she liked. His
consideration, cheerfulness and enthusiasm became irresistible. The
family sparked into new life . . . tragedy of another broken home
averted.
Within weeks this woman was earnestly studying and
preparing for baptism. Needless to say, she is, today, a member
in God's Church.
Mental institutions are full of misguided
"witnesses for Christ," incarcerated by equally well-meaning, misguided
and concerned relatives. Psychiatric treatment, bodily injury and even
death, has come to those who witness wrongly.
Not Up to You to CONVERT Others
Does witnessing for Christ mean preaching Christ? The most powerful witness for Christ is your OWN
CHANGED LIFE!
David
was such a witness. He served God as perfectly as any human being has
been able to do. He did not go about the countryside preaching hour
after hour. His conduct, his integrity, honesty and loyalty to his duty
as king over all Israel spoke louder than words. He made grievous
mistakes, yet God promised him kingship over all Israel in the
Millennium.
Here was a man after God's own heart (Ezek. 34:23 and Acts 13:22), after he had bitterly repented (Ps. 51:3, 10).
John
said, "My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue;
BUT IN DEED AND IN TRUTH"
(I John
3:18). Jesus said, "Go NOT from house TO house" (Luke
10:7)! That is plain speaking! Those commissioned to preach were to go
only to those who were obviously seeking enlightenment.
Paul
said, "And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily
prophets, thirdly teachers. . . . Are all apostles? are all prophets?
are all teachers?" (I Cor. 12:28, 29). We find we have far more
"teachers" than God ordained to that office! God inspired the Apostle
James to warn, "My brethren, be not many masters [teachers], knowing
that we shall receive the greater condemnation. . . . Who is a wise man
and embued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good
conversation [conduct] his works with meekness of wisdom" (James 3:1,
13). A teacher of others carries a terrible responsibility. He answers
directly to Christ for his influence. "It is a fearful thing to fall
into the hands of the living God" (Heb. 10: 31)!
Common Witnessing Faults
Some
refuse to salute the flag of the country that gives them the freedom to
worship, to choose their own vocation and to rear their families in the
way they choose. That stand is not scriptural! That is false
witnessing. Such as hold this wrong tenet bring persecution upon
themselves! The scriptural answer was given by Paul, "Let every soul be
subject unto the higher powers [ruling government under which each
lives] . . . Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom
tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to
whom honour" (Rom. 13:1, 7).
The call to jury duty often
has prompted unwise public statements such as, "My church does not
advocate any human being judging another human being by the laws of
men." Such unfortunate statements have brought reproach on this Work of
God! (For further information regarding jury duty, write the Letter
Answering Department of Ambassador College.)
More than one has
preached to his employer—or fellow employee—on the subject of the
Sabbath, the Holy Days, or the celebrations the company sponsors.
Lack
of wisdom is a shocking reality in the character of far too many of
you! This lack has often caused unnecessary unemployment. The reasons
have been painfully apparent.
Never express your limitations to
an employer. Point out your favorable abilities. Be honest, but not
wordy. Your willingness to work overtime at other times than on the
Sabbath, your dedication, your frankness, your loyalty and your good
workmanship will tide you over any crisis that arises. You need not
witness with your mouth to gain or hold a job.
Here Is How
Witness for Christ in action, in works, in conduct----not in WORDS!
The
World Tomorrow broadcast reaches into every continent on earth— over
twenty-two million watts of power. That is God's way of evangelizing
the world! Man's way is to cram religion down the throats of others.
Remember! —"No man can come to me, except THE
FATHER WHICH HATH SENT me
draw him" (John 6:44)!
God has His way of doing this.
Your example of radiant happiness
and joy; your sincere desire to serve others in menial tasks; your
honesty, loyalty, dependability; your cleanliness, your orderliness and
your vital zest for living are the true witness God expects of you! In
Christ's words, "Let your light so shine before men [not your voice so
sound before men], that they may see [not hear] your good works, and
glorify your Father which is in heaven"
(Matt. 5:5-16).
Here is the proper way to witness for Christ. Can you do this? Christ says you can!
"If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye DO them!" (John 13:17).
by Selmer L. Hegvold The Good News Magazine May 1964 Issue
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