2 minute read.
Daily Reading: Jeremiah 14:11-16:15 ESV, 1 Thessalonians 2:9-3:13 ESV, Psalm 80:1-19 ESV, Proverbs 25:1-5 ESV
Daily Verse: “You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers.” (1 Thessalonians 2:10 ESV)
MARTUS (3144): “(Whence Eng., “martyr,” one who bears “witness” by his death) Denotes “one who can or does aver what he has seen or heard or knows”; it is used in a historical sense 2 Thes. 2:10.”[1]
Historical sense.
Paul’s actions imitate Christ. He witnesses for Jesus because of what happened to him. Becoming a witness for Christ means acknowledging your life change. After you meet Jesus, accepting the grace and mercy He offers changes your life, just as it did Paul’s.
Paul appeals to the Thessalonians to acknowledge how he changed. Becoming a missionary and changing his conduct happened because Paul met Jesus. The apostle wants the Thessalonians to recognize the change God made in his life and theirs.
Everything Paul did, he did for the new believers, encouraging the church in their journey with Jesus.
Faithful witness.
Becoming a faithful witness for Christ means living your life following God. Eighty percent of God’s will reveal itself in scripture. Applying Christ’s teaching to your life does change it. Obeying God means we will spend our lives loving Him and others for the kingdom.
Try loving everyone you meet today. No matter who comes before you, Christ died for them. Whether or not they believe in Jesus shouldn’t affect your witness for the King. We control our reactions, despite their actions. When people turn their back on God, it grieves Him more than we can ever know.
Like Paul, submitting your life to Jesus and living for Him makes you a witness. God doesn’t call for perfection; He wants obedience. When we obey God, He blesses our efforts and makes all things work to the good for those who believe and trust in Him.
Give your life to Christ today. Become a witness for the King of Kings. Count on His divine assistance when the journey gets tough. Witnessing for Jesus brings love into the world, the gift Christ gave everyone.
[1] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 157) Thomas Nelson
