Inspired To Witness
When I was 15 years old, our youth pastor pressed upon us five reasons from II Corinthians 5 for being a witness. I only remember two of them: “The love of Christ constrains us,” and “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men.”
The seed of his faithful teaching of the Word of God fell on good ground, for my heart in those days was soft toward the Lord. As I sat there that night along with 30 or so other Awana teens, my life was forever changed.
The love of Christ constrains me. Do you remember the old chorus: After all He’s done for me, after all He’s done for me, How can I do less than give Him my best and live for Him completely, After all He’s done for me?” This is why I go.
Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, I persuade people. I believe, as the old saying goes, that there is a hell to shun and a heaven to gain, and that both are forever. Jesus said, “…these will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” This, too, is why I go.
The motivation is the same for all Christian workers who, out of love for Christ, share the gospel far away and here at home in our own backyard: The words of Jesus…Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. (John 3:36)
Sadly, there are people who really have never heard an inspiring message on why we need to be witnessing. There are statistics out there somewhere that tell us that a great percentage of people have never led a person to put their faith in Christ.
My church atmosphere was one of urging the members to share the gospel. Not only was it preached from the pulpit at church and when the high school group gathered together, it was demonstrated by the many who stood during testimony time to tell their evangelism stories from the week.
So, what do you do if you get to be 50 years old and there has been none of this teaching in your life? It's such a deep subject. It requires a willing heart on our part...first of all. Then, delving into the Bible would be a good next step. That is where the Great Commission and all similar passage can be found.
Probably the most powerful push would come from realizing that Jesus said that "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him."
Brothers, sisters, moms and dads, kids, grandkids...everyone in our own circles are headed one of two places. If we know that one of them is not saved, how can we not boldly share the good news about Christ, forgiveness of sin and eternal life?