Heading down the highway, my coworker and I noticed that traffic had stopped abruptly ahead. I slowed to a near standstill as I looked closely in front of us to see what was happening. It looked like construction. Just like everyone else, I was really hoping we wouldn’t be stuck there long. Suddenly a strong vibration shook my truck from the rear passenger side of the vehicle. Immediately I turned my eyes to see what was happening. SMASH!! A vehicle slammed into the car sitting right next to us and we briefly saw the driver’s arms fly into the air and the airbag go off.

My coworker and I were stunned, but we pulled off the road, now some fifty feet or more beyond the accident and called the police. We wanted to rush out into the highway to see if the people were okay, but traffic was still moving. We checked our vehicle for damage and waited for the police. They arrived a few minutes later and checked out the vehicles, got statements, and then spotted us waiting for them. The police officer simply asked what we saw. We weren’t the rescuers in this story. We weren’t the experts in cleaning up the accident or clear the wreckage from the street. We weren’t the medical workers who tended to the victims (who thankfully only had minor injuries). We were merely witnesses to what took place.

Oftentimes we make the Christian life harder than it needs to be. We think that we can’t share our faith because we don’t know every scientific argument or religious subject. We absolutely should be encouraged to study and learn in any area that can strengthen or defend our faith but know this: experts are not the only ones who are asked to share their faith. All Christians are witnesses. First John 1:1-3 says,

1What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have observed and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 2that life was revealed, and we have seen it and we testify and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us— 3what we have seen and heard we also declare to you, so that you may also have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.

The Word of Life is referring to Jesus, and John was writing to combat a false belief that threatened the Christian community: that Jesus wasn’t the Christ (cf. 2:22). And so, John opens the book of First John by stating that he is a witness to the coming of Christ. He saw Jesus. He heard and even touched Jesus. John is very simply giving his testimony. His witness.

Now, you might argue that you have never physically seen, heard, or touched Jesus. Me neither. But I’ve sure experienced Him. He’s touched my heart and changed my life. That’s why I’m able to be a witness for Him. Has Jesus touched your heart? Has He changed your life? While I encourage you to learn all you can in this life, if you know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, you already know enough to be a witness.

First Peter 3:15 reminds Christians to be “ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.” I believe it is the idea of providing a defense that makes people nervous, but the word for defense simply means “to give an answer.” So, I ask you to reconsider what that verse is asking of you. Think of it this way: why do you have hope? What is the reason for the hope within you? Jesus! So this verse tells Christians to be ready at any time to give an answer to anyone who asks a reason for the hope that is in you. What is that reason? Jesus. You have hope because of Jesus.

If you know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, then you know enough to testify of His great name and His saving power. Share your faith with others today. Definitely study all you can, but realize that you’ll never know as much as you think you need to know. But if you know Jesus, you know the Word of Life that can change the heart and save the soul. Stand up and be a witness for Him.

God bless,

Obie

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