Tuesday, September 7, 2021
Every Believer Is a Witness
“Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see” (Romans 13:13 NLT).
I remember so clearly when I first went to church. I didn’t grow up in the church, so I didn’t have a point of reference. When I walked into Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, the place was filled with people. This was in the early days of the Jesus Movement, and I was checking everything out.
I can tell you this much: I loved what I saw. When I looked around, I saw an older person next to a younger person next to a person of a different ethnicity. I took it all in and thought, “Wow, there are all kinds of people—not just people who look like me.”
In high school I wanted to hang around with the cool kids. I wanted to be around people who looked like me, and I looked like them. And all of a sudden, I was in a place of diversity, and I realized that it was powerful. I watched as people participated in worship, and then when the pastor spoke, I listened.
In the same way, when someone attends a church for the first time, they’re checking it all out. They’re not just sizing up the worship or the speaker. They’re checking you out, too. They’re probably wondering if you’re even interested in what’s going on.
Maybe you’re acting like you’re using your Bible app on your phone, but you’re really playing a game or checking your social media. Hopefully you’re listening or even taking notes. But if you’re distracted, or you’re not engaged, they’re watching that. And if you’re engaged and listening, they’re watching that, too.
So here’s the question: Are you a bridge or a barrier for people who want to come to Christ? It comes down to this: Every believer is a witness. You’re either a good one or a bad one.
Copyright © 2021 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved.
For more relevant and biblical teaching from Pastor Greg Laurie, go to www.harvest.org
and
Listen to Greg Laurie's daily broadcast on OnePlace.com.
Watch Greg Laurie's weekly television broadcast on LightSource.com.
In thanks for your gift, you can receive a copy of Marvel at the Moon by Levi Lusko
In this fantastic 90-day devotional, author and pastor Levi Lusko uses illuminating stories, biblical teaching, and eye-opening surprises about outer space to show kids that they’re never alone because God is always with them. A copy of this beautifully illustrated book will be mailed to you when you make a gift of support to Harvest Ministries this month.