How can I be an effective witness for Christ? How can I effectively witness to a lost world?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

An effective witness for Christ bears fruit for the gospel. Ultimately, when a person is saved, it is by God's power, not ours, and as we speak the truth to unbelievers, it is important to remember that their salvation does not hinge on our speaking abilities, the strength of our faith, or how well we know how to explain things. Even in cases where we speak the truth very clearly and with conviction, it may not result in the salvation of the hearer. In the end, each person bears the responsibility for his own choices. This should not be a deterrent, however. We are called to do everything in our power to witness to the lost, and to aim for effectiveness.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• The Old Testament lays important foundations for being a faithful witness to God’s truth. Israel was called to be a light to the nations (Isaiah 42:6; 49:6), demonstrating God’s character through their obedience and faithfulness so that other peoples would recognize and praise the one true God (Deuteronomy 4:5-8).
• God’s covenant people were to live distinct, righteous lives that reflected His holiness, which served as a testimony to the surrounding nations of God’s power and faithfulness (Exodus 15:11; Psalm 67). Thus, the Old Testament encourages believers to witness effectively by living faithfully, reflecting God’s nature, and trusting His promises to bring others to Himself through their example.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• An effective witness will approach unbelievers with kindness and patience, rather than an arrogant, quarrelsome attitude (2 Timothy 2:23-26).
• We are called to be ambassadors of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20). An ambassador for a nation communicates what his king or President wants him to—no more, no less.
• God set the nation of Israel up as a light to the heathen world around them, for His glory (Luke 2:32; Acts 13:47). However, the nation did not live for Him nor did they represent Him well.
• The New Testament teaches how to be an effective witness for Christ by emphasizing the importance of our words and character. Believers are called to represent God faithfully and share the gospel with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15). Our lives—the way we talk and act—are the greatest apologetic when it comes to effectively witnessing.
• Jesus’ example shows that effective witnessing includes speaking truth boldly while also showing love and compassion, accepting people but not their sin (John 4:7-26; Luke 19:1-10).
• The New Testament also highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding and empowering believers to witness effectively (John 16:13; Acts 1:8).
• Ultimately, an effective witness trusts God to work through their faithful obedience, knowing salvation is God’s work (Philippians 1:6).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

An effective witness is humble. We cannot judge who will or will not accept the message of the cross, so we should be impartial about whom we approach with the good news, remembering that our own need for salvation was just as great as the need of every person yet to be saved (Romans 3:19-20). God has revealed Himself to the world in part through the Bible. When we invent new gospels or bend the truth in an effort to make God's message more palatable or easier to accept, we are being unfaithful. If people are converted, it is to a false gospel. The truth will always be fragrant to the one who desires salvation and powerful to effect that salvation (2 Corinthians 2:14-17). We should not be ashamed of it (Romans 1:16).

An effective witness represents the Savior. Just as we are faithful to accurately speak His Word, we should accurately portray His character. The world’s image of Jesus is often incorrect, and we should strive to make His true nature known. Jesus Christ didn’t shy away from telling the truth, regardless of how harsh it was

. He rejected the hypocritical religious leaders of His day, pronouncing woes on them (Matthew 23:1-36). He spoke the truth with conviction (John 3:1-15). He confirmed the existence of eternal separation from God (Matthew 7:21-23). At the same time, He accepted the outcasts of society and forgave them freely (Luke 19:1-10). Nobody who wanted to be with Him was rejected. His focus was to save them, rather than to judge their sin (John 3:16-18). An effective witness is honest. Not every mystery in the Bible can be explained or understood, even by the wisest theologian or the most studied scholar. If an unbeliever asks a question we cannot answer, we should not be afraid to say, "I don't know." Honesty and acceptance of our inability to fathom God is not a sign of weakness, but rather a trust in God that is unfathomable (Hebrews 11:1-3). How can we hope to fully understand a God whose mind is so far above ours? But we are not called to fully understand, but simply to trust (Proverbs 3:5-6).

UNDERSTAND

• An effective witness reflects Christ’s character.
• An effective witness is well-grounded in Scripture and faithfully shares the gospel without compromise.
• Effective witnesses rely on the Holy Spirit to guide and empower them but also trust God to bring salvation to others.

REFLECT

• How does your daily life reflect the character of Christ to those around you, and what changes might help you witness more effectively?
• How are you deepening your understanding of Scripture to more effectively witness your faith?
• How do you recognize and rely on the Holy Spirit’s guidance when you share your faith?

ENGAGE

• What are some things we can do to more effectively witness our faith?
• What role do personal sharing and testimonies have in witnessing?
• How can believers discern when to speak boldly and when to show patience and compassion in their witness to those who are hesitant or resistant?