The Impact of our Witnessing for Jesus
by Pastor Luisito Vilan
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood,
a holy nation, a people belonging to God,
that you may declare the praises of him
who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1Peter 2:9
In the scripture, believers are encouraged and commanded to be witnesses to the world about God. Every believer is a witness for Jesus. As witnesses, we testify about God’s nature, character, and attributes. Furthermore, we attest to people our experiences and encounters with God thru our speech and action.
In other words, our witnessing for Jesus is based on our personal knowledge of God’s dealings and His dwelling in our lives. Our lives are actually living testimonies of God’s love, mercy, salvation, justice, compassion, and grace.
As a result of our witnessing, people experience God in their life because of the compelling impact of our testimony. With this reason in mind, Paul said in Rom.1:16 “I am not ashamed (to be a witness) of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation of everyone who believes…”
People will not believe and experience the impact of the gospel in their lives if we will not bear witness for Jesus. As Jesus’ witness, we may ask… What is the impact of our witnessing for Jesus? Our witnessing ushers people to righteousness. (2 Corinthians 3:9)
Our need for righteousness (2 Corinthians 3:7)
Paul argues that the “…letters engraved in stones…” or the law that was given to Moses brought death to men – 2 Co.3:7. Paul presents that the law failed to usher people to righteousness. In fact, according to him, it “…condemns men…” Sadly, the law which defines Judaism, ushers people to the path of unrighteousness or death. Paul mentioned that the law “…came with glory” and he described it as “glorious.” It has glory because it came from God. Paul cited that the “…Israelites could not look at Moses because of glory coming…” (c.f. Exodus 34:29-35) from the law. However, that glory is “fading.” Although the law was glorious yet it could bring people neither to life nor to righteousness. In fact, he emphatically said in 2 Co.3:6 that “…the letter kills…” Since the law failed to usher people to righteousness, Paul presented the source of our righteousness.
Our source of righteousness (2 Corinthians 3:8-9)
Paul bears witness of the ministry that ushers people to righteousness. According to him, this ministry is the “…ministry of a new covenant…” (2 Corinthians 3:6) We know that a covenant is an agreement between God and man. This new covenant is not “…written by ink but with the Spirit of the living God”. (2 Corinthians 3:3) Furthermore, it was not written on “…tablets of stone but on the tablets of human hearts…” (2 Corinthians3:3) This ministry, according to Paul, is “…much more glorious…” compared with the law. It is much more glorious because the “Spirit of the living God” (2 Corinthians 3:3) In other words, it is the Spirit of the living God who writes His word or law in human hearts. When the Spirit of God ministers to human hearts in this way, Paul said, life and righteousness are born. We see this in 2 Co.3:6 “He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant – not of the letter (law) but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” With the Spirit activity moving in human hearts, righteousness can be experienced.
Reflection:
- We often hear from believers that they are not competent to witness for Jesus. They feel and think that they are incompetent witnesses for Jesus. Sadly, most believers have the perception that witnessing for Jesus is only for those who graduated from seminary, for the pastors, for the evangelists, and for the missionaries. We failed to recognize that our competence and confidence as witness for Jesus come from God. Paul said in 2 Co.3:4-5 “Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. 2Co 3:5 Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.” Although trainings and tools (such as evangelistic tracts, seminary education, evangelistic seminars, etc.) are helpful yet it is God who ministers in us and through us so that we will be His witnesses.
- As we witness for Jesus, let us be reminded that the Spirit of God is actively moving in people’s heart. We are not witnessing to propagate religion. Religion does not usher people to righteousness. Religion can only make people religious. However, we witness for Jesus so that people will experience the moving of the Spirit in their lives. When we see people repent and turn away from their sins, we are experiencing and witnessing the move of the Spirit in their lives. We can experience the glorious moving of the Spirit when we begin to witness for Jesus.
Our witnessing ushers people to renewal (2 Co.3:12-17)
This renewal involves freedom. 2 Co.3:14-15 “…But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. 2Co 3:15 Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts…” ( 2 Co.3:14-15) Paul exposed Israel’s bondage. Every time they read the law their “…hearts are covered…” Instead of seeing and discerning the Spirit of God, their “…minds are dull & their hearts are blind…” because of the veil that cover their spirit. Until this day, the source of their blindness remains. Paul said that “…for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read.” Although Israel is identified as the chosen nation of God yet before the Lord they are dull and blind.
However, Israel’s blind and dull condition can be changed. In fact, the veil that covers their hearts and make their minds dull can be removed. Paul argues that the moment they “…turn to the Lord, the veil is taken away…” – 2 Co.3:16. Although they are in bondage yet there is that possibility of experiencing change in their lives. The only direction that one has to take is to “… turn to the Lord…” Turning to the Lord means repenting from one’s stubbornness and ignorance. We call this as repenting from one’s sins.
The law can not usher people to freedom. It is only the Lord Jesus Christ who can cause true freedom in people’s lives. Paul said in 2 Co.17 “… Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom…” In fact, Jesus witnessed that only in Him and through Him that we can experience true freedom. He said in Luke 4:18-19 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Without Jesus Christ in people’s lives, freedom is not a reality.
This renewal involves transformation. (2 Corinthians 3:18) And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18)
As a witness, Paul attests that those who turned to the Lord actually reflect the “Lord’s glory.” They reflect the “Lord’s glory” because the veil or sin that covers their heart and make their minds dull is removed. Their faces were unveiled “…And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory.” In other words, the flawed image of God in man is renewed. Instead of having the countenance that reflects the heaviness of sin, a renewed (or born again) individual exemplifies forgiveness, grace, love, mercy, and compassion.
The believer is transformed in the likeness of Jesus Christ. It is a transformation that is “…ever-increasing…” It means that this transformation happens daily, consistently and continuously. We are being transformed in the likeness of Jesus from glory to glory. It means that there are still rough edges that need to be smoothened in our lives. In other words, the Lord is still working in us, leading us from transformation to perfection. Paul said it beautifully in Phil.1:6 “…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” God is not yet finish working in each one of us.
Paul also states, that this transformation comes from the Lord “…which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” People can neither fabricate nor duplicate such renewal. We have the power to alter our looks and gender through cosmetic surgery. We can transform our looks externally but it is only the Lord who can initiate and cause transformation from within. In our efforts, we can initiate transformation but the issue is this, is it lasting? Only God can cause renewal that has eternal value. That’s why Paul said, “In Him we live and move and have our being.” (Acts 17:28)
The renewal we received from the Lord Jesus Christ will cause us to be His witnesses. Our lives; our actions; and speech make us living witnesses for Jesus. We bear witness to others because we are free from the bondage of sin and we are transformed in the likeness of our Lord. We are living witnesses for Jesus simply because of God.
As a witness, Paul has that confidence, boldness, and hope because he experienced renewal on the road to Damascus. On that road, he experienced the risen Jesus Christ. Our evangelistic programs and mission agendas may give us direction or systematic approach in witnessing but it is the renewal that we experienced from the Lord Jesus Christ that will cause us to be confident and bold witnesses for Jesus. With this, therefore, we witness for Jesus with impact. An impact that will compel people to surrender their lives to the living God.
Paul made this conclusion in 2 Co 4:1 “…Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have the ministry, we do not lose heart.” The ministry of witnessing for Jesus is quite challenging. It is challenging because of the magnitude of the work. Jesus said, “The harvest is great but the workers are few.” It is challenging because we are commissioned to go and make disciples of all nations. However, Paul reminds us not to lose heart. As we witness, it is the Spirit of God who moves in the hearts of men. It is God who ushers renewal to people. Our part is to be His witnesses.
This June 7, 2008 we, as a church, are given the opportunity to be witnesses for Jesus. We are expecting 250 people coming from Quezon City, Sta. Mesa, and San Juan. We will have an evangelistic concert and we need 60 counselors to help with this effort. Last Sunday, we conducted a counselors’ orientation and there were more than 30 counselors who attended. We need more counselors to be witnesses for Jesus. If you want to be used by God in this ministry, just approach Pastor Cris Santos and Sis. Doll Pedero and you can list your name.
God is eternal and so His ministry. He continues to renew and use those he called. If you are being touched by the Spirit of God, come to Him in submission.
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