Witness Protection

Most people know what the Witness Protection Program is. Basically, a person who is instrumental in testifying in a legal matter and is a threat to the accused is made to disappear. Sometimes, it’s a person whose life is threatened in other ways. In simple terms, the individual is protected.

Sometimes I believe, as Christians, we need a Witness Protection Plan. At the very least, we need to think about it. Some of us may need to consider how we might develop such a program for ourselves.

We easily claim to be a believer. When it comes to exactly what we believe in, we might be a little more vague. Hopefully not. Hundreds of thousands proudly proclaim to be a Christian but again, their actual beliefs aren’t as obvious, especially in their behavior. And, hundreds of thousands more are not afraid to proclaim a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Too often, we forget that, along with those proclamations, come responsibilities. Many believe that joining a church and regular attendance is all we need. That's a wrong assumption. In fact, that's just a first step. Of course, it may satisfy how we want others to see us. And that in itself is just plain wrong thinking because it's not others we need to worry about. We can fool them most of the time. It's our Creator we should be seeking to please. And, by the way, there's no fooling Him.

Of course, our Heavenly Father wants us to worship, praise, learn, and enjoy fellowship with other believers. These are important. But God is more interested in what's going on inside us and why we do the things we do.


To be honest, maybe we need to consider these areas of our lives and ask ourselves if they fall under the witness protection plan. In other words, what witness do we give God, and others, in these areas?

Loyalty to the body of Christ. Can you be counted on to volunteer where and when needed?
Your body. Are you taking care of God’s Holy Temple where the Holy Spirit resides?
Your habits. This wide-ranging area can be viewed by just about anyone.
Your driving. Speeding and reckless driving aren’t just against the law.
Your mouth. Short tempered with a store clerk or fellow worker?
Your recreation. How many Sunday’s do you get away from it all?
Your time. While many faithfully tithe financially, they fail to give unselfishly of their time.
Your entertainment. What movies or television shows are you watching?
Your talents. God has gifted each of us with talents for His use.
Your quiet time. How faithful are you in seeking to know God through His word.
Your prayer life. Do you use prayer more like a life raft than an intimate way of communicating with the Creator of the Universe?

These are some of the ways in which we witness to others every single day. Is your witness true to God’s word and direction for other believers?

If not, maybe you need to think about a Witness Protection Plan to guard your most important asset – your soul.


Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?" Matthew 16:24, The Message

Blessings, Francine

5 comments:

    On 5:43 AM Carol said...

    Hi, Francine,
    A very good post..and so glad to read your words again..

     
    On 1:04 PM Dale said...

    To be "in the world but not of it" sometimes seems to be one of the most difficult things to do. To reach out, as Jesus did, to the "fishermen, tax collectors, and prostitutes" while also remembering to "above all, guard our heart."

    What an excellent reminder of this you've given, Francine.

     

    Ladies, thank you for your comments. It wasn't the easiest entry I've done, but there is going to be a part 2.

    And, thanks for visiting.

     
    On 5:42 PM Maxine said...

    Amen to all this. Thank you for pointing out the need to look deep into our hearts. Boy do we need to!

     

    Maxine ... I have to confess, often God is speaking to ME when He gives me words to put on my blogs.

     
 
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