Should We “Witness?”


© Richard Kent Matthews
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In traditional Christianity one of the main tenets of the Faith is to follow the admonition of Jesus in the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19,20): believers must go into all nations, baptizing and teaching those things Jesus taught. This practice, known as "witnessing," is what prompts evangelists of every ilk to do their work. It keeps Christian radio and television on the air. It's the means by which believers draw others "into the Kingdom." This passage is not a suggestion; it is a command. And it has worked. The Christian religion is the largest religion in the world, comprising in all its more than 1300 denominations and sects more than a billion and a half people (although Islam is the fastest growing religion).

Better-known witnessing groups include the Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, and of course, evangelical groups such as the Pentecostals, Charismatics, and the like. Even Roman Catholics have their own brand of witnessing. They build eye-catching cathedrals.

So, is witnessing the way we New Thought believers should be getting our message out?

I learned a long time ago that true witnesses are not those who scream hellfire from the pulpit, or those who raise the most money in fundraising efforts; rather true witnesses are those quiet, unobtrusive folks who never seem to be in any kind of spotlight. Nor do they even want to be. They simply live their lives in service to Spirit and their fellow life forms. They walk their talk, never boasting or insulting or threatening. They do the "work of the Lord" as if it were just the natural thing to do. No fanfare necessary. That, in my humble opinion, is true witnessing.

Do we have anything to prove in New Thought? Not really. Each of us comes into relationship with Spirit in our own way. It isn't up to us to tell others what their "truth" must be. We can be shining examples of our own Truth, however, by living a life of integrity, of responsibility, of self-acceptance, of sharing, and of joy. In this way we become what we express. As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "What you are speaks so loudly I can't hear what you're saying."

It's good to share ideas, to hear messages, to listen to good music, to meditate. We couldn't have church without it all. But the real thrust of being a witness is in what we are, how we live, and how we treat others, not in what we preach.

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Here's the follow-up discussion on this article: View all related messages

14.   Nov 21, 2003 11:38 PM
Many times when Christians think of "witnessing", it refers to one adult witnessing to another. Yet, it appears to me that an overlooked audience are the kids. Just like Deuteronomy 6:7 teaches, kid ...

-- posted by Zanzi


13.   Nov 14, 2003 7:51 PM
I like the verb you use in the last paragraph, "share." That is the most effective means of witnessing according to my experience. I have never been impressed with people going door-to-door spewing ...

-- posted by biogardener


12.   Oct 15, 2003 4:20 PM
To all of you who have responded within this discussion:

You give us much to think about, but I caution you: the true witness is always in deed rather than word. Even God Himself displayed this fac ...


-- posted by RichardSpeaks


11.   Oct 8, 2003 12:57 PM
In response to message posted by hawknut:
I agree with you. The preacher and his immediate family always seem to live in a glass house ...

-- posted by Zanzi


10.   Oct 7, 2003 8:52 PM
In response to message posted by RichardSpeaks:

Some are called to preach. To those who have been given much, much will be demanded ...


-- posted by hawknut





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