A silent witness – one who points another person to the Savior – can be any Christian who lives a life to honor God without saying a word. Our Lord came as the Light to the World (John 1:9; 8:12; 9:5; 12:46) and likened His followers to “lights” in the world. (Matthew 5:14) He explained what He meant by that light: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16) An individual believer’s “light” in the darkness of an everyday world is what God considers “good works” or fruit that brings glory to Himself.
I was recently reminded of the power of good works in the testimony of a young missionary woman who sometimes became discouraged on the field seeing little evidence of numbers of souls saved or believers growing in grace. Ministry was difficult when friends suddenly rejected her and believers walked away from the Lord. But as this missionary continued her daily interaction with shopkeepers, neighbors, and unsaved friends she came to understand that God’s larger purpose is to make Himself known in a culture that never thinks about God or even acknowledges that He exists. She came to see that it was her “ordinary” godly life that grabbed people’s attention and pointed them to God. By quietly showing honesty, kindness, faithfulness, care, and love to those around her she was a living light for God in their midst! (Philippians 2:15) That God is glorified by an individual’s faithful light is a great comfort and encouragement in the face of rejection and heartache. The One who was “despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3) knows our frailty (Hebrews 2:18) and ever lives to intercede on our behalf. (Hebrews 7:25)
Good works as a silent witness have a fundamental place in our lives. Good works are His purpose for us and a reflection of the Master Craftsman who saved us:
- For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10)
- That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God. (Colossians 1:10)
- [May God] Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:21)
- The Scriptures were given so we might be, …perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (II Timothy 3:17b)
What kind of silent witness are you? Is your life among friends, coworkers, and neighbors a light in darkness? Do you get discouraged if they reject efforts to tell them about Jesus Christ?
Having your conversation [manner of life] honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. (I Peter 2:12)
Friends, continue in good works and trust that they will speak quietly to others to point them to the One who loves them and died for them. (I John 4:9-10)
In future articles on Being a Silent Witness we will look at two examples of witnesses who silently pointed to God by actions in their lives: Daniel and his three friends; and a believer living among family.
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