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Have you been disappointed with the results of your witnessing to others?

It is easier, and natural, to believe that our witnessing to others about salvation in Jesus Christ must result in an immediate belief and yielding to Jesus as Savior. This would be ideal of course. However, witnessing for Christ covers a much broader field.

The fruit of witnessing for Christ encompasses our being an example of righteous living in whatever context we live in. The light of our life example to others can eventually bare fruit of eternal salvation later. In fact, what others see, hear, and view in our actions, including how we treat them, does more toward their surrender to Christ that a thousand words. Words can mislead. Many believe that most, if not all of what they hear, is crafted to mislead.

It is the world we life in.

And it will get worse.

First and foremost, others must consistently see and feel our genuine love and care for them personally. Otherwise, they only feel the breeze, but not the Holy Spirit. Even silence can be golden, if supported by others, and what they feel coming from us. Many times, silence is golden, if combined with what others see in us, not just words.

When others feel our genuine, even unspoken love for them - regardless of who they are, what they are, where they are, in terms of belief, the veil of spiritual darkness can fall, and a door is opened wide to receive a more direct witness. Usually, those you encounter see you first. Then they may or may not "hear" what you say.

The old adage "what you ARE screams louder than what you SAY" can be very true in witnessing to others. If we are not living our witness, how can others want what we have and are attempting to tell them?

Are you willing to sacrifice more than words for others? If not, how can others believe the enormity of Christ sacrifice for them? If we are not living the life of Jesus Christ in our own lives, all of our efforts in words will be blocked. The veil that Satan has placed in their minds remain without a miracle. God must grant repentance and belief for witnessing to bear fruit.

Finally, we must remember that it is the Holy Spirit who must convince and convict. We can only be an instrument in His hands.

"However, I am telling you nothing but the truth when I say it is profitable (good, expedient, advantageous) for you that I go away. Because if I do not go away, the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you [into close fellowship with you]; but if I go away, I will send Him to you [to be in close fellowship with you].

And when He comes, He will convict and convince the world and bring demonstration to it about sin and about righteousness (uprightness of heart and right standing with God) and about judgment: About sin, because they do not believe in Me [trust in, rely on, and adhere to Me]; About righteousness (uprightness of heart and right standing with God), because I go to My Father, and you will see Me no longer; About judgment, because the ruler (evil genius, prince) of this world [Satan] is judged and condemned and sentence already is passed upon him." - John 16:7-11

"Today's Little Lift" from Jim Bullington

Mercy and not Sacrifice (Sept. 30, 2010)