Before you do, please consider this question: “Are you free to be a witness for Christ?”

Today, many wonder whether they have “done too much” that is sinful for God to use them. The reality is that none of us deserve to be partners with God in ministry. But God has chosen to work through the redeemed. If there ever was a time to affirm the truth that Paul wrote:

“Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery.” (Ephesians 3:8-9)

The time is now for God’s people to operate and go forward in the authority of Christ Jesus. When Jesus ascended into heaven, He essentially left His ministry to His earliest disciples. Today, as followers of Christ Jesus, we have received the same power to bring about the fruition of the same mandate, which is to make disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, baptizing and teaching them.

In essence, discipleship is leading an individual to maturity in Christ, and as you mature, it is important to make other disciples. Intrinsic to making disciples is witnessing for Christ. But what does it mean to “witness”?

I am convinced if someone is completely and truly freed to witness, it will come naturally.

Jesus taught two principles that have guided me in being His witness. First, don’t put a shade over your lamp. (Luke 8) Second, “Out of the overflow of (a man’s) heart his mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:45) In other words, to be Christ’s witness means simply not to conceal who God has called you to be, and to sincerely share what you have come to believe.

The Apostle Peter puts it this way: “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope you have. But do this with gentleness and respect….” (1 Peter 3:15)

Making a disciple may include deliberately making friends with “those people” and inevitably and naturally being a witness for Christ in their life.

Today, we cannot assume anyone knows anything about the Gospel. Therefore, quote what Jesus said and what you have learned to be true. Also, don’t represent yourself a whole lot differently to non-believers than to Christians.

The world is in desperate need of Christians being genuine and consistent.

So, let me ask you once again, “Are you free to be a witness for Christ?” If not, acknowledge your need for deliverance by asking God to set you free.

Rather than making another empty New Year’s resolution, how about making a commitment, possibly a re-commitment, by embracing to mind, heart and spirit, followed by application and action, the words of the Prophet Isaiah:

Lead out those who have eyes but are blind, who have ears but are deaf. All the nations gather together and the peoples assemble. Which of them foretold this and proclaimed to us the former things? Let them bring in their witnesses to prove they were right so that others may hear and say, “It is true.” “You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. I, even I, am the Lord, and apart from me there is no savior. I have revealed and saved and proclaimed – I, and not some foreign god among you.

You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “that I am God.” (Isaiah 43:8-12)

The greatest evil in the world today just may be indifference.

Truly, out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth must speak.

Pastor Phillip Lee
Executive Director
His Way Out Ministries

“If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of the truth of God except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at the moment attacking, the I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christ. Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is tested.” Martin Luther