Witness by Action

I saw a so called priest today say that she knew what her congregation was doing was right, because it looked like the rest of the world. She is absolutely wrong. We are called to ignore the garbage of the world, and strive to look like Jesus. After we see Jesus, nothing else should entice or shine as much as Him. Being like Him is our only goal. Others may help us to see who Jesus was like, but when their actions are not like His, we are not to be copying them. When we seek to look like Jesus, we will never look like the world that is around us. If we are following Jesus, the world will recognize that we are not like it. I know people who will tell me they are a Christian, and yet their actions tell me that they have never seen or met Jesus. Paul says that we are assured of salvation if we believe in our hearts and confess with our mouths. The supposed Christian may tell me he is a follower of Christ, but his actions will show that he does not believe in Jesus in his heart. The Jews used the heart to reference the center of our being. If we believe something “in our heart,” it means that our lives will reveal it. Our actions and our speech will show that Jesus is our lord and savior.

This means that we will not look like the world. If Jesus is our lord, we cannot look like the world. It will be impossible. We do not follow the same things that the world does. Our actions should be a witness to the world around us. Our actions should show a different set of priorities. Our actions will show a disdain and a repulsion to sin. Christians are not the individuals to find drunk at a party. Followers of Christ are not going to end up there.

Our actions are more than rejection though. As we come to know God and His love, it pushes our being, our hearts to be moved by what moves Him. When we see need and hurt, the Christian should be the first one reaching out to help his neighbor. I have seen this in the church. When a new believer walks in and finds that he has a role to serve in God’s kingdom, I do not often find him being avariscious with his roles, instead I see him or her signing up for every opportunity to serve. I have cautioned Christians to not try to help every need. I have not yet had to beg a Christian to serve his or her neighbors.

Our actions are many times our first form of witness. If we are a follower of Christ, we should be afraid if we are told we look like the rest of the world. Our actions should make us stand out. People should recognize a difference in us. They should see how you do not find pleasures in what they do. They should see your willingness to help when others refuse. They should see a different emotional reaction to events. This is one of the first ways we can witness. It is not the only way we show Christ though.