Witnesses

Isaiah 43:10  "You are My witnesses," declares the LORD, "And My servant whom I have chosen, So that you may know and believe Me And understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, And there will be none after Me.

1.      Why has God chosen a Believer for this work?

a.       Because he knows experimentally more of God than any other being. Angels could witness of His majesty and goodness. Devils, of his wrath and justice. All men, of his wisdom. But a child of God, while witnessing to all these, can tell of His mercy, of his forgiving love, of his forbearance, tenderness, and loving kindness.

b.      Because he can have no greater joy. The bride’s delight is to point out her Lord, saying, “This is my friend; this is my beloved.” It is by grace we are permitted to testify of Christ.

c.       Because of our being constantly in the presence of our fellow men. He would have the world without excuse. For from her very midst. He rises up His witnesses.

2.      The things a believer must possess in order to witness for Christ.

a.       Knowledge: he must know by experience of the truth of God’s word. His life must be one “amen” to the words of his Lord. Thus, the master says, “My yoke is easy,” “Him that come” the witness, says, it is so; His yoke is easy; he has received and saved me.

b.      Veracity: However distasteful to men, we must speak the truth. The Martyrs died amid flames because they would speak the truth as they themselves apprehended it.

c.       Consistency: Can one who says “this” today and “that” tomorrow, be believed? If you are most sanctimonious on Sunday and most worldly all the week, who will value your testimony?

d.      Patience: In our courts of law a witness has often long waiting. And though he attests the uprightness of a beggar, he waits. Remember, we witness of the Judge.

e.       Boldness, firmness: The world will do its cross examining trying to catch us in our speech, as it did Christ.

3.      The best methods Christ’s witness can adopt.

            What are they? A parade of private devotion? Learned expositions of your creed? Condemnation of your opponents? Seclusion in a hermit’s cell? No, but rather:

a.       A daily manifestation of heart loyalty to Christ.

b.      A daily feeding on His promises, thus showing contentment and hope.

c.       A growing in His likeness

d.      The display of the grace of His spirit.