Incarnational witness . . .

“Even on the cross He did not hide Himself from sight; rather, He made all creation witness to the presence of its Maker.” ― Athanasius of Alexandria, On the Incarnation

Most Christians I know are eager to witness to the truth of the Gospel; however, they are just too timid, or don’t know how, or feel ashamed of their example. So, any meaningful witness is simply not done. 

One need not be perfect to be a perfect witness for Christ. Transparency and openness takes care of that. In transparency, we all admit that we are struggling sinners saved by God’s grace. In bold transparency, St. Paul declared himself the chief of sinners, of whom he said, he was the worst (1 Timothy 1:15). That in and of itself is a powerful witness to God’s grace. That leaves us with timidity and ignorance. Now, would it surprise you there is a way to take care of all three at once and leave a powerful and lasting witness to the goodness of Christ?

That witness lies at the very core of who you are. We are, said Paul, living epistles, seen and read by all men (2 Corinthians 3:1-3). Thus, as Christ, we are in all actuality the final and most enduring witness that will last for any appreciable time. We, as Christ, have the privilege of continuing in the memory of man long after the words which we have spoken are forgotten. So, witnessing is not just about words; it is about a life: Christ and ours. 

This, I call “incarnational witnessing.” I am sure the term is not unique, but it is helpful in capsulating the essence of what true witnessing is all about. Christ, as we have so often been reminded, wrote no book, made no great fanfare about who he was, or for that matter what he was up to, either. He lived a simple, albeit miraculous life, humble and pure. There was not a selfish streak in him. “Others,” was his motto. He lived as he died, really, for others.

What a witness. What a man!

We, too, have this unique opportunity. We, too, can and must practice what we all preach. That in the final analysis is reduced to who we are. Preach it, or teach it; however, if we don’t live it, we most often do more harm than good. 

“Sir, we would see Jesus (John 12:20-21),” was the longing of the Greeks who came to Philip, lo those many years ago. It is still the cry of multiplied millions around the world. That is no exaggeration, either. Oh, they may not word it that way, or even consciously be aware of it. But they do seek answers. They seek peace, and a meaning to life. Christ can give it all, and more. That they want, too.

Far too often we seek eloquence, when we should instead seek silence, and the solitude of prayer and let Christ’s life speak through us for us. Holiness is pure eloquence. There need be no other witness, unless asked. Holiness in each and every case speaks louder than words. Be perfect, as your father in Heaven is perfect (Matthew 5:48) is holiness in perfection. That we must strive for, for without holiness, no man shall see God (Hebrews 12:14) —and, may I add, neither shall they see Christ in us, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27).

Sir, we would see Jesus, is still the cry of the broken hearted, the sad, lonely and dejected. You and I are commissioned to fulfill that desire; but that is possible only if we like Paul carry the scars of Christ in our bodies (Galatians 6:17) for all to see that we indeed have not just talked the talk, but walked the walk, taken up our cross daily and followed him. That is to say, to be a true witness is not easy. It requires effort, and as necessary, sacrifice. Such holiness—that is, Christlikeness, speaks volumes. 

Holiness, like martyrdom, is a thing of the heart. One need not sacrifice their life to qualify; willingness alone is enough. 

Holiness as one of the true virtues is really in all actualities an outgrowth of love: God’s love, for God is Love personified, as is Christ, who as we believe is God. Therefore,

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. (1 John 4:8 NIV) 

And what does Scripture also say? Here it is in black and white:

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. (John 13:35 KJV) 

What a testimony. What a witness! 

Now, may the God of all love, keep you securely in all love, to whom we give all the glory, now and forevermore bless you and me with all understanding of that great love. 

JimR_/