A Living Witness

For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything. 1 Thessalonians 1:8 NASB 95

It has been said that witnessing is not something we do but rather something Christians are.[1]One aspect of our growing walk with the Lord is that our lives should serve as a witness to others of what we believe. This witness comes not from within the walls of the local church, but as we leave and live our daily lives. Our life in Christ is seen by others in how we act and speak at work, school, or with others we encounter. Ideally, our walk with Christ will shine forth so that others are drawn to Christ through us. The faith of the Thessalonians was like this in that it became known everywhere.

Thessalonica was a strategic location for Paul to establish Christianity. It was situated at the intersection of two major Roman roads, which enabled travel to Italy and the Aegean Sea. Among many things, this would allow for the gospel to be spread more easily. Paul states in 1 Thessalonians 1:8 that the gospel had sounded forth from the believers in every place, even beyond Macedonia and Achaia. To sound forth (exēchéō) pictures the mighty sound of a trumpet.      

“The picture is of the message of the Gospel so stirring the strings of the Thessalonians’ hearts that it reverberated in strong and clear tones to all Greece and everywhere. To labor in sending forth the Gospel is the greatest work of love anyone can perform.”[2]  

The believer’s faith had become so effective that Paul joyously stated that it spoke for itself. In other words, he did not have to tell others how the Thessalonians’ lives had been changed. People could see it for themselves in the way they acted and spoke. When Christians live their lives outside the church in this manner, they serve as a faithful witness to a lost world.      

“A recent survey of church growth indicated that 70 to 80 percent of a church’s growth is the result of friends witnessing to friends and relatives to relatives. While visitation evangelism and other methods of outreach help, the personal contact brings the harvest.”[3]

Being a witness for the Lord is something we are all commanded to do. Our faith in the Lord can serve as a powerful witness to the Lord when we leave the local church. Is the faith you proclaim seen in how you live and speak? How can you be a living witness to others who need to know about Christ?

Lord, help me to grow in reflecting you, not simply on Sunday but throughout the week. As I interact with others outside the local church, help me, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to be a living witness to what Jesus has done in my life. Amen.

[1] Christian Quotations, Martin Manser, 2016.

[2] Charles Ryrie. First & Second Thessalonians, pg. 25.

[3]Warren Wiersbe.  The Bible Exposition Commentary Ephesians-Revelation, pg. 161.

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