Follow the Lamb - 21 Day Study on the Book of RevelationSampel

Day 19: Worship as Witness

Scripture Reading:

‘So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.’

- James 2.17 (NRSV)

As we’ve seen, Christians gathering together for worship is an essential and powerful element of what it means to be a Christian. Worship leaders are like the coach before a big Rugby League match, huddled in the dressing room with the team, giving them some final pointers and lots of encouragement before they run through the tunnel onto the field to do the real work. Put another way, our Sunday worship needs to be a healthy, superfood meal that can sustain us for the whole week. At the end of the service, we go out into the mission field and do the work God sent us here to do. We give witness to our faith with our words and actions in every space we go into during the week. Our interactions at work, the way we speak to the cashier at the supermarket, the way we treat the waitstaff at a restaurant, the attitude that shows in our emails, everything we do leaves an imprint on those around us as to our character. We may be the only Christian that person knows; that impression we leave will be what they think of Christians, even more importantly, what they think of God.

This witness, our daily words and actions in our communities, are, in fact, not separate, but an integral part of our worship. In following the Lamb, we remember that Jesus gave himself bodily for us; he led a life of devotion to the Father in his teaching and healing ministries, then gave himself for each of us by his death on the Cross. In our society, it’s unlikely we will be asked to suffer much for our faith. We are called to open up the entirety of our lives to God’s call, however. By living lives thoughtfully and reflecting on how our behaviour affects others, we honour God, those around us, and ourselves. We need to consider how we can bless those in our spheres of influence, and emit the aroma of Christ, to draw others to him.

Some things to think about :

1. Does your neighbour know you are a Christian?
2. Do you think you act differently around people because you are a Christian?
3. What will you do today to witness to Christ?

Prayer:

Saviour God, thank you for giving of yourself. Thank you for choosing me to tell people about you. Help me to have the confidence to speak about your love to those you have placed around me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.