GOD’S WITNESSES
Isaiah 43:10. Ye are my witnesses.
This is what Jesus says to us. He has left His fame in our hands (Acts 1:8). He could have done without us. But He has chosen the weak things to witness as to what He has done and is doing now.
I. WHY GOD HAS CHOSEN A BELIEVER FOR THIS WORK. Because—
1. He knows experimentally more of God than any other being. Angels could witness of His majesty and goodness. Devils, of His wrath and justice. All men, of His wisdom. But a child of God, while witnessing to all these, can tell of His forgiving love, &c.
2. He can have no greater joy.
3. On account of our being constantly in the presence of our fellow-men. He would have the world without excuse.
II. THE THINGS A BELIEVER MUST POSSESS IN ORDER TO WITNESS FOR CHRIST.
1. Knowledge.
2. Veracity.
3. Consistency.
4. Patience.
5. Boldness, firmness. (H. E. I. 3922–3976).
III. THE BEST METHODS CHRIST’S WITNESSES CAN ADOPT. A parade of private devotion? Learned expositions of your creed? Denunciation of your opponents? Seclusion in a hermit’s cell? Nay. But rather—
1. A daily manifestation of heart-loyalty to Christ.
2. A daily feeding on His promises, thus showing contentment and hope.
3. A daily growing in His likeness.
4. The daily display of the graces of His Spirit.—R. A. Griffin: Stems and Twigs, pp. 63.
One grand design of God in leaving Christians in the world after their conversion is, that they may be witnesses for Him. It is that they may call the attention of the thoughtless multitude to the subject, and make them see the difference in the character and destiny of those who believe and those who reject the Gospel.
I. TO WHAT PARTICULAR POINTS CHRISTIANS ARE TO TESTIFY FOR GOD.
Generally they are to testify to the truth of the Bible. They are competent witnesses to this, for they have experienced its truth.
But more particularly Christians are to testify—
1. To the immortality of the soul.
2. The vanity and unsatisfactory nature of all earthly good.
3. The satisfying nature and glorious sufficiency of religion.
4. The guilt and danger of sinners.
5. The reality of hell, as a place of eternal punishment for the wicked.
6. The love of Christ for sinners.
7. The necessity of a holy life.
II. THE MANNER IN WHICH THEY ARE TO TESTIFY.
By precept and example. On every proper occasion by their lips, but mainly by their lives. Because example teaches with so much greater force than precept. They should live in their daily walk and conversation, as if they believed the soul to be immortal, &c.
Remarks.—
1. Sinners will never feel right on the subject of religion, unless God’s witnesses rise up and testify.
2. We see why preaching does so little good.
3. The standard of Christian living must be raised.
4. Every Christian makes an impression by his conduct, and witnesses either for one side or the other.
5. It is easy to see why revivals do not prevail.—C. J. Finney: Revivals, Lecture X.