Dear friends, as Christians, we are called to bear witness to Christ. Before ascending into heaven, Jesus said to His disciples, “But when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will be filled with power, and you will be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, in all of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8). This is the Great Commission, which is a mandate for everyone who believes in Christ.
‘You will be witnesses for me.” When Jesus used the word ‘witnesses’, He meant we become effective witnesses. We must leave a lasting impression on people around us – especially in our faith, hope, and love. Because these are what make us stand out as Christians in this world. St. Paul writes, “Meanwhile these three remain: faith, hope, and love; and the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13).
During the time of the early Christians, we find in particular the people of the church in Thessalonica, who were proving to be effective witnesses for Christ. St. Paul was so impressed with them that he wrote in his letter… For we remember before our God and Father how you put your faith into practice, how your love made you work so hard, and how your hope in our Lord Jesus Christ is firm. (1 Thessalonians 1:3). Note that St. Paul is pointing out the same elements of faith, hope, and love, seen in them. And all this was in response to the Good News preached to them. (1 Thessalonians 1:5). And Paul went on to say to them… You imitated us and the Lord; and even though you suffered much, you received the message with the joy that comes from the Holy Spirit. So you became an example to all believers in Macedonia and Achaia. (1 Thessalonians 1:6-7). This is what God is looking for in the Church today. He is looking for those who set an example for the rest.
Today, there are many communities of priests, nuns, and even laypeople worldwide. For that matter, we Crusaders are also a community of lay persons. At some point in our life, we encountered Christ and experienced the renewal. But we need to ask ourselves, “Having received the Good News, am I bearing witness to Christ through my faith, hope, and love? Am I setting an example to others around me?”
To become effective witnesses to Christ, we must grow in our faith, hope, and love. The Thessalonians suffered much persecution, but then, they held on to the faith. Today, we may not be persecuted for our faith. But then, what is our attitude to the little trials that come our way? Do we complain before others by saying that nothing is going right in our lives? Do we rely on our wisdom and human efforts to escape the trials? Do we give in to discouragement? Do we feel it is useless to continue with the renewal? Or do we trust in God and remain faithful to Him in our trials? St. James writes… My friends, consider yourselves fortunate when all kinds of trials come your way, for you know that when your faith succeeds in facing such trials, the result is the ability to endure. (James 1:2-3). This is how we become effective witnesses in our Christian life as far as our faith is concerned.
Now, coming to the hope aspect. We need to ask ourselves, “What is it that we are living for?” Many in the renewal today want Christ only for what they can get in this world. Outwardly, they show they are strong in their faith and active in their work for the Lord. St. Paul writes, “If our hope in Christ is good for this life only and no more, then we deserve more pity than anyone else in all the world. (1 Corinthians 15:19). Our bearing witness for Christ depends much on what we hope for. St. Paul was very clear about his goal. So I run straight toward the goal in order to win the prize, which is God's call through Christ Jesus to the life above. (Philippians 3:14). But he was saddened that many so-called believers were living only for this world… They are going to end up in hell, because their god is their bodily desires. They are proud of what they should be ashamed of, and they think only of things that belong to this world. (Philippians 3:19). Those who live for this world only cannot be effective witnesses for Christ. Because most of the time, they will be concerned about their own interests. Everyone else is concerned only with their own affairs, not with the cause of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 2:21).
Finally, if we are to become effective witnesses for Christ, we need to grow in our love for God and for one another. St. Paul writes… We are ruled by the love of Christ…He died for all, so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but only for Him who died and was raised to life for their sake. (2 Corinthians 5:14-15). It was Christ’s love that compelled Paul to go to the ends of the earth and fulfill the Great Commission. Paul grew in his love not only for God but also for lost souls. Like Christ, he forgot himself and offered his whole life for the salvation of others. And that is what he urged everyone to do… Because of our love for you we were ready to share with you not only the Good News from God but even our own lives. You were so dear to us! (1 Thessalonians 2:8).
Dear friends, we have seen what it costs to become effective witnesses for Christ. Can we do it on our own? Of course, the answer is a definite ‘No’. But let us not forget the first part of the Great Commission, where Jesus said, “But when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will be filled with power, and you will be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, in all of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Let us pray earnestly to Our Father to fill us with the power of the Holy Spirit so that we become effective witnesses for Christ.