I've been thinking a lot recently about what it means to witness. We like to say that we witness by our actions, that it doesn't take much to show people about the love of Christ. We set an example. We show unconditional love. But we always stay ready. "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect ... " (1 Peter 3:15).
I believe that. But I also believe that sometimes we kind of have to nudge people along. We don't have to be in their face about it. No, that's not the way to do it. There just has be a clear understanding for why we are doing what we're doing. In that scripture from 1 Peter, the message is to those who are being persecuted and those who are suffering for their faith in Christ. So sometimes, we need to suffer, too. We need to step out in such a way that it's clear the action we're taking doesn't benefit us in any way. When people see it, they'll be prompted to ask why. That's the opening, Peter says. That's where we step in with the reason for the hope that we have.
Another point of that scripture is that once Jesus was made alive by the Spirit after his death, he went and witnessed to the "imprisoned spirits." So he got new life and "made proclamation" to those who were dead. We get that chance, too. We can follow Jesus' example by taking our new life and then ministering (witnessing) to those who still are dead in their sins.
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