The focus of this entire blog has been to inspire and equip believers to evangelize a lost and dying world. But a challenge should only be given when accompanied by a reason to accept it. That will be the goal of my next several posts: to show from Scripture some of the different reasons we as Christians have an irrevocable responsibility to witness to those around us.
This first post will cover the primary reason for our obligation to witness. This first point is the fact that it is a command. If you have a Bible close by, take a look at Matthew 28:19-20. It reads, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." I challenge you to find a request in this verse. There is none. It is an express command given by our Lord. It does not say "If you have a spare moment...", "Unless you feel tired...", or (surprisingly) "Unless the Steelers game is on...". There is no "please" or "if you don't mind" in this verse. The fact of the matter is that if you are a believer, you have an unchallengeable commission to witness.
The question could be raised, "Why are we obligated to obey this command?" Again, if you have a Bible on hand, turn to 1 John 2. Verses 1-6 say
"1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
2 And He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
3 And hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.
4 He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5 But whoso keepeth His word in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in Him.
6 He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also to walk, even as He walked." (pronouns referring to Christ capitalized for clarity)
I wanted you to see the whole passage for context, but the main point I wish to draw out is found in verse 3-4. John says that the litmus test for a true believer is if we keep Christ's commandments. In verse 6, John also declares that whoever claims to be a follower of Christ will walk as Christ Himself walked. How did Christ view the lost? Turn to Matthew 9:35-38.
"35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
36 But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
37 Then saith He unto His disciples, 'The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth labourers into His harvest.'"
How did Christ view the lost? When He saw their condition, He was moved with compassion. Based on these passages, what then should our attitude be toward the lost and the command to witness? The only conclusion that can be drawn from these Scriptures is that if we as believers do not obey this command and if we are not, like Christ, "moved with compassion" at the plight of the lost, we need to seriously check our hearts; we need to ensure that they truly do belong to Christ.
We have been given a directive from our Lord. If we truly call ourselves followers of Christ, ignoring this command is not an option.
