If I warn the wicked, saying, ‘You are under the penalty of death,’ but you fail to deliver the warning, they will die in their sins. And I will hold you responsible for their deaths. If you warn them and they refuse to repent and keep on sinning, they will die in their sins. But you will have saved yourself because you obeyed me. - Ezekiel 3:18-19 NLT
Wow! What a sobering verse. When I read this passage, it pierced my heart and convicted me with a sense of urgency to share the good news of the gospel, now more than ever. When was the last time you remember sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with someone? I pondered this question myself.
There is so much scripture in the Bible that talks about how we are called to be His witnesses. That doesn’t mean it’s a mission only for the extroverts, it’s for all of us to practice regardless of personality type.
If Paul says in 2 Timothy 3:16, All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work, then to me, that means that in the passage above (Ez. 3:18-19), we are told that God holds us accountable when we avoid the chance to give someone the truth. It makes me think… “how many times have we missed an opportunity to do this because we were afraid, or it made us uncomfortable?”
The Woman at the Well
God gives us countless opportunities to witness. He is the perfect model for how to do this. The story of the Samaritan woman at the well is a good example, and one that speaks to my heart. The story is found in the gospel of John chapter 4. According to the narrative, Jesus and his disciples were traveling from Judea to Galilee and passed through Samaria. Jesus stopped at a well while his disciples went into the city to buy food. At the well, Jesus encountered a Samaritan woman who had come to draw water. He asked her for a drink, and she questioned why He would even talk with her considering He was a Jew, and they did not associate with Samaritans. Despite those differences, Jesus engaged in conversation and offered her different water - “living water” - where she would never thirst again. She was intrigued. Jesus then revealed that He knew about her personal life, that she had been married five times and was currently living with a man that was not her husband. Impressed by His knowledge, she perceived He was a prophet and discussed matters of worship with Him. Jesus revealed to her that He was the Messiah. In her excitement she immediately left to go tell others this good news.
I love this story because this woman could have decided to wallow in embarrassment, run or even hide for having her sin called out, but instead, she immediately ran to her community to share the good news. Her testimony was so convincing that many Samaritans believed and urged Jesus to stay with them for two days so they could hear Him speak, and many came to faith in Him. So many people turned their hearts to Jesus because of this one witness who encountered Him and did not let her past life deter her from sharing the good news!
You Too Are a Witness
May this be a reminder for all of us: that one of the most loving things we can offer another person is the good news of Jesus Christ. But you may ask yourself, “How can I witness about Jesus?” One practical way is by sharing your own personal testimony. Think about how He has worked in your life:
What was your life like before Jesus?
How did you encounter Jesus?
How did your life change after faith in Jesus?
To further help you, I’ve listed some of my favorite scriptural reminders on witnessing the good news! Maybe these will help you the same way they inspire me:
Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. - 1 Peter 3:15 NLT
And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. - 2 Corinthians 5:18-21 NLT
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere- in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. - Acts 1:8 NLT
I tell you the truth, everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, the Son of Man will also acknowledge in the presence of God’s angels. But anyone who denies me here on earth will be denied before God’s angels. - Luke 12:8-9 NLT
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the new that the God of Israel reigns! - Isaiah 52:7 NLT
May this bless you today,
Amy