To Be a Witness, a Lifestyle…预览

Testimony is linked to the Word but also to acts

REFLECTIONS:

Read Galatians 5:19-22 and Colossians 4:3-6 and take a moment to answer the following questions:

➤What is the relationship between these verses from Galatians and our life of testimony?

➤Why is it so important that our actions match our actions?

When Jesus talks about being the light of the world (cf. Matthew 5:14), it is evident this doesn’t concern our words only, but our whole being, including our actions! Our actions are important because they reveal what we believe. Our words resume what we think, but our actions reveal who we are. We can speak with our mouths about the love of God to those around us, and yet it is our actions that truly reveal this love. That is why we have to be careful not to simply say to people that God loves them but demonstrate it through our acts. Thus our way of living will convince more than our words.

Some Christians try to witness about Jesus to everybody, even though some are not ready to listen. These Christian lives don’t appeal to them, and they disagree with the values of the Kingdom of God. Some years ago, God placed on my heart to go door-to-door and offer to pray for their needs and to talk about His love. My friend and I were timid and stuck, not knowing much about what to do, and I have to tell you that the doors were closed very quickly. We didn’t make it appealing to people. After a little while, we gained experience and freedom, we were joyful, relaxed, and likable when we rang people’s doorbells, and the response was much more positive.

So let us be attentive to cultivate the values of God’s kingdom in our lives, which are love, peace, joy, goodness, etc. (cf. Galatians 5:22). Here it is not talking about feelings or emotions, but the fruit of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit frees these fruits in our spirits, so our souls simply align to that, and our body only has to follow. Remember, nobody wants to join a group of losers. We all desire to be on the winning team! The Church is that winning team because we have a hope – eternity, a constant joy – salvation, peace in all circumstances because we know Christ is seated on the throne of grace.

This doesn’t imply there won’t be difficulties. On the contrary, this is where our acts testify to the truth of the Gospel. When a disciple is challenged by unemployment, the loss of a close person, illness, injustice, etc., they will be a witness because of their peace, joy, strong attitude despite the difficulties, justice, and fairness. Their way of living will open up a door to listen to and receive their words. Our reaction to the challenge doesn’t depend on our external circumstances but on Who lives in us, the Holy Spirit, who gives life, strength, and power.

We talk about the story of missionaries who one day arrived in an isolated village and started to talk about Jesus. After hearing the missionaries’ description, the villagers said they had known this man and that he once lived in their village. The missionaries couldn’t understand how these villagers could have seen Jesus until they were taken to the front of a tomb outside the village and told that a white man was buried there. He corresponded perfectly with the description of Jesus. The missionaries now understood that another missionary had already reached this village and demonstrated the Gospel through his lifestyle.

To be a witness is simply knowing how to reflect Christ in all areas of our lives. The word “Christian,” which means little Christ, was given to the disciples because they resembled Christ (cf. Acts 11:26). So it is a heavy responsibility given to us: our attitudes, our reactions, and our way of living don’t only have a direct impact on our own lives, but also on the people who surround us. We don’t have the right to say, “It’s my life, and I’ll do what I want,” because we aren’t living for ourselves, but for Christ and for the world that needs our light! Take some time with your Lord to position yourself based on what you have just read.

MY DECISION:

➤What I have understood for my personal life:

➤ What I am deciding for my life based on what I have just learned:

➤ What you decide today will determine who and what you will be tomorrow!

Adapted from “un disciple en marche” copyright 2018 by Luc Favre, published by Vie Victorieuse. All rights reserved.