IN former numbers of Edification we have sought to trace the way of the young Christian from his first step of trusting Christ; we have seen him going on to follow Christ, perhaps with halting steps, but nevertheless in the pathway; we have pictured him with those who come together on the first day of the week to break bread in remembrance of the Lord, and have rejoiced with him in his joy in being in the Lord’s presence, with all that He brings of peace and love.
Now we are to think of him in very different circumstances. He must needs go forth into a hostile world and will desire as every true-hearted believer must do, to witness for Christ there. How cheering for him to know that One has been there before him! We read in Revelation 1:5,5And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, (Revelation 1:5) “Jesus Christ... the faithful Witness,” and in Revelation 3:14,14And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; (Revelation 3:14) “The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the beginning of the creation of God,” and in 1 Timothy 6:13,13I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; (1 Timothy 6:13) “Christ. Jesus who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession.” His own words are “To this end was I born and for this cause came I into the world that I should bear witness unto the truth.” (John 18:3737Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. (John 18:37)) In all His beautiful, lowly life, in all His mighty works, in all His acts of healing and mercy He bore witness to the truth. When He stood before Pilate, deserted by His own, mocked, scorned, scourged He witnessed a good confession, even unto death.
Now come forth in resurrection, He is the faithful and true Witness, the beginning of the creation of God. The first creation had come from His hand, very good, though so soon marred by man; now He comes as the Redeemer, the beginning of a new creation in which we have our part, and He allows us to be His witnesses.
Nor does He leave us unaided in this. He is on high for us, but His Spirit is here to testify of Him. When He first put His disciples into the place of witnesses He told them in John 15:26, 27,26But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: 27And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning. (John 15:26‑27) “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth which proceeded from the Father, He shall testify of Me, and ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with Me from the beginning.” How almighty is this Holy Spirit! The same disciples who forsook and denied their Lord, are found with great power giving witness to Him and with great grace upon them all. The apostle Paul too, who had been a persecutor and injurious, was converted and brought into this goodly company of witnesses and says, “Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great; saying... that Christ should suffer, and that He should be the first that should rise from the dead” (Acts 26:22, 2322Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: 23That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should show light unto the people, and to the Gentiles. (Acts 26:22‑23)).
It may be remarked here, that all witness, as Scripture speaks of it, is to Christ, not to ourselves, nor to our doings, nor to our feelings. It is a solemn and serious matter; as is well known, our world martyr, comes from the same Greek word which is used for witness.
The story of the Tabernacle in the wilderness may help us, as recorded in Exodus 25-40. It is constantly called the “Tabernacle of witness.” God had designed—to have a sanctuary that He might dwell among them and thus His people carried His Name through the desert. Let us consider however, how many different offices and services were needed—workers in metals, workers in wood, those who could spin, those who could compound holy ointment; how many different materials were used—gold, silver, precious stones, shittim wood, badgers’ skins, rams’ skins dyed red, goats’ hair, fine twined linen, blue and purple and scarlet, oil for the light, sweet spices for frankincense. Think of the provision for transport, oxen and wagons and bearers who should carry holy vessels on their shoulders. All was to be as the Lord commanded Moses, all was put under the hand of Ithamar the priest, and two men Bezaleel and Aholiab were set apart by God for the work; nothing was left to man’s opinion or direction.
So must it be with us, beloved young Christian, the witnessing for Christ in the world is such a very great thing, it would take all the Christians in the world to witness to Him, and even so, their testimony would be wholly inadequate; therefore let us diligently inquire of the Lord, in order to know what is the little share in it He has entrusted to us each one, and having obtained help from Him find it our joy and delight to witness for Him.
To some is given the public ministry of the Gospel, some are to be laborers in the word and doctrine; some may tell the little children of Him, to some may be committed His own most precious gift—to speak a word in season to him that is weary. Some perhaps can only bear witness to His Name, by quiet deeds of love and kindness, and some may even lay down their lives as martyrs for His Name. What really matters is that our witness should be according to His plan and that it should always be “unto Him.”
May the Lord grant His grace for it until He come—Amen.
L. R.