02 Sep Judge, Lawyer or Witness?
While not everyone has been to court, we are all familiar with courts and trials. It is in this context that the idea of being a witness for Christ takes on another whole meaning.
‘You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’ Acts 1:8
We know we should witness, that is to testify of the Lord, and share the gospel with those who don’t know Christ. We feel keenly their need for salvation, and we do our best. But often we take the position of not being the witness, we often act like a lawyer, and sadly sometimes like the judge.
A judge decides what is right or wrong, and pronounces the penalty for wrongdoing. This isn’t our position as believers, it is a task given to the Lord. We need to avoid being condemning of others, especially if they don’t listen to us.
A lawyer has the task of convincing the listeners, usually a jury or a judge, of what is true. Many Christians easily fall into the trap of thinking it is their job to convince others that they need to be saved. But the job of convincing falls to the Holy Spirit. The scriptures say he will ‘convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgement.’ John 16:8 It is actually a huge relief that we don’t have to make people believe, or convince them that we are right. We have only one task, to witness.
As a witness, you simply say what you know to be the truth. In many courts the witness takes an oath to ‘tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.’ As Christian witnesses the Lord from time to time will put us on the stand. Someone will ask about questions that we can answer for the Lord, or we could avoid carefully. But if you do your job as a witness obediently and honestly, you then allow the Spirit to do his job as a convincer.
Not only is it a huge relief to just obey, but when we do, and our trust is in Him, it can have a powerful effect in the lives of those around us. Watch More Below:
Featured photo by KATRIN BOLOVTSOVA: https://www.pexels.com/photo/judge-signing-on-the-papers-6077447/
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