WHY WITNESS?
It’s obvious, isn’t it? Jesus saved all the world, yet many have not yet received this personal benefit through faith. We witness because many are still lost.
That is reason enough. Yet, because of his grace, it’s not where God’s blessings end.
Paul understood this. He says,
“I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.”
1 Corinthians 9:22
Paul had a laser focus on the mission. He shows flexibility to do everything possible, short of sinning, to reach the lost. If even one sinner repents, there’s a party in heaven.
That joy is more than enough. But God is not done blessing.
Paul continues,
“I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.”
1 Corinthians 9:23
When the gospel is shared, God blesses both the hearer and the sharer.
Imagine you get front row seats to see your favorite basketball player in action. You hear him call for the ball. The breeze of him racing past you blows through your hair. His pounding steps shake the court along with your seat. Then he leaps into the air and dunks the ball; you’ve never been so close to the action.
That thrill is a picture of witnessing. You get a front-row seat to the spectacular works of the Spirit. You see someone come to faith. Your eyes light up to see someone reborn as a child of God. Their eyes light up with tears because they now know grace. One of the greatest personal joys is seeing the Spirit’s work up close.
Yet, God is still not done blessing.
Paul concludes,
“I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”
1 Corinthians 9:27
Witnessing to others brings personal blessings to you.
Some people have the prize and risk losing it. They take it for granted. They allow doubts to erode their hope. They don’t feed their faith.
Witnessing challenges each of those fronts. Seeing others trapped in the darkness gives you a new appreciation for the light. Answering the skeptic’s questions dispels your own doubts. Mining the Word for encouragement to share builds you up along the way. One of the best ways to grow in your faith is to share it with others.
Some of the best blessings won’t be realized this side of eternity. You may not know or see how God used your witness. That will change when you get to heaven. There God increases our joy even further as folks tap you on the shoulder with the encouragement: “God used you to reach me.”
Some Christians hesitate to witness. They’re not sure what to expect. God makes it clear. He uses us to reach the lost. He gives us a front-row seat to the Spirit’s work. He builds us up along the way. He adds even more joy to heaven.
What can you expect when you share Jesus’ saving love? Blessings will abound!
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When Jesus gave the Great Commission, he included some amazing promises.
Check out our witnessing tip for even more encouragement in your witness!
