Witnessing And Belief

What would it take for you to believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?  If I asked some non-believers this question I would get different answers for sure.  Some may say that they would never believe.  Some might say if Jesus stood before them and showed them His hands and feet, like doubting Thomas did, or some might say if He showed them a miracle.

Now let me ask you a question, what did it take for you to believe?  First let me say this, no one will ever believe until God moves in their life.  I will back this up with some examples:

You may remember Lydia in the New Testament, she was a merchant who sold purple cloth in Thyatira.  It says this about her in Acts 16:14, “Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of  purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul.”  When God did His work and opened her heart she became a believer.

What about Peter, it says this about him in Matthew 16:15-17, “He

said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’  Simon Peter answered and said, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’  Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.’”  God revealed to Peter who Jesus was to him.

     

And don’t forget what Jesus said in John 6:43-44, “Jesus therefore

answered and said to them, “Do not murmur among yourselves. No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.”  

God the Father has to draw people before they receive Jesus.  And another thing, for true conversion to take place, there has to be the convicting, conviction of the Holy Spirit.  It says this in John 16:7-9, “Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me.”

There are people that get discouraged when they witness to people but the people don’t respond the way they want them to.  Remember this, you can save no one, only the Lord can work that miracle.  Being ready in season and out of season is what is important; always being ready to give an answer for your faith and why you believe.  I think it will help you if you keep these things in mind when you are sharing your testimony and someone gets angry and doesn’t want to listen.  

Witnessing takes discernment, prayer, boldness and a willingness to suffer and be rejected if need be.  The Holy Spirit is very important in witnessing; Jesus said this about the Holy Spirit to His disciples in Acts 1:7-8, “And He said to them, ‘It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.’”

Just like the disciples needed power and boldness to speak, all believers need that same power also, so if you are a born-again believer you have it, praise the Lord!  We live in exciting times, a time when people are asking questions and they want real answers.  So if you have an opportunity, give them the answers they need, trusting in the Lord to work His miracle and be faithful.  You may not see them all repent but if you get to pray with just one you can rejoice, and if you stay faithful, I believe that you will see many snatched from the darkness into God’s marvelous light and the Lord will be pleased.  God bless and have a great day!!