There is a great market for religious experience in our world; but there is little enthusiasm for the patient acquisition of virtue, little inclination to sign up for a long apprenticeship in faithful obedience.

As members of God's Church, what kind of an impact do we have on people in our day-to-day business? Are we being "witnesses" of the gospel—witnesses of Jesus Christ's way in our daily dealings? Are we helping the work of God move forward? Are we seen as faithful disciples, apprenticed to the Master?

The Early Church Example

The early Church saw a need to strive in completing the work given by Jesus Christ to them. Of course, we have the same duty today—both as individual Christians and as a Church. We are to be witnesses of the way that Christ taught. How are we doing?

Notice how Jesus answered His disciples when they asked a pivotal question about the timing of His Kingdom:

"'Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?' And He said to them, 'It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth'" (Acts 1:6-8).

The New Revised Standard Version puts it this way: "And you will be my witnesses."

Our Example

This is a critical part of our calling—to represent our Father and Jesus Christ in the appropriate manner. We are witnesses to the world of God's way of life—doing our personal part to show the family of God in action, showing where God is working.

Whether we realize it or not, each of us are very much on the front lines each day as we go to work, attend classes at school, interact with repairmen at our home, go shopping—and even as curious people ask questions about what we believe and why. We need to remember that we are representing Jesus Christ and our Father in more ways than one. We need to watch our demeanor, our attitude, our appearance and our conduct at all times.

We're part of God's family—working together to represent Him, to be witnesses that He is God! We want to ensure that the witness we give to those around us is foundationally secure and helping God's cause, not hindering it.

Now is when we have to be most vigilant in our duties. Now is when we must do the work given to us. We must be living righteously in preparation for the return of the Bridegroom for the wedding supper, truly showing God's way in all that we do. UN