Spectators and Witnesses

“Spectators or Witnesses”

When you think of a spectator, what comes to mind? When I think of a spectator I think of an onlooker. I think of Jesus crucifixion many watched or mocked him, on his way to suffer death. When you think of a witness what comes to mind? Is it some dramatic justice TV show? What comes to my mind when I think of a witness, is someone brave enough to talk about what they felt or observed, in any given situation. A witness to me is an active role. While a spectator is more of just a watching role or someone that goes with what the rest of the crowd, like at a concert one applauds they all applaud. A witness I could see going against the grain if it means getting the truth out there.

We should fit into the category of witnesses. We should be active participants in our faith. John put it this way in his epistle, we have seen and testify the Father has sent the son to be the savior of the whole world (1 John 4:12-14 NKJV). Notice that John said testify, this is just like what a witness does on the witness stand in court, where you expected to always tell the truth. Likewise we as believers, should always speak the truth according to what the gospel teaches. The apostles were active witnesses of Jesus and God. An example of them being active witnesses, is when the apostles received the Holy Spirit in Acts 2:4 (NKJV). Some of the people watching mocked but they still preached. Saint Stephen gave a powerful Sermon before the Sanhedrin in Acts 7(NKJV), before getting stoned to death. He still went up and delivered a testimony before the Sanhedrin likely knowing the consequences, this was a time of great persecution for the Christians.

An important thing to realize is testifying to the truth, will probably not make you popular. Some trapped in the world’s many desires, still don’t like to hear of repentance or hell fire, just like in Jesus time. Even some Christians don’t like hearing the hell fire messages. A worldly gospel of believe in God it will get you great wealth, is going to attract more people than the truth of that the apostles sacrificed a lot, for the gospel and the early church. Jesus gave it all to do the will of God. Let us remember Jesus warned the world wouldn’t like us because they didn’t like him either (John 15:18-19 NKJV). The good news is if you’re not popular for telling the truth and your faith, it means you are of God, the verse later says. We Christians have a piece of mind knowing while we might not get the most rewards on Earth, we know we have a great eternity waiting for us with God. That is something great to attest too, Jesus saved us and we can have eternal life with God.

May the Lord bless you and keep you all, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit amen.