And You Shall Be Witnesses to Me
The Main Idea of the Lecture
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III speaks about the call of every Christian to be a witness for Christ in his life. The Christian should not only know God personally, but must show this knowledge through behavior, speech, and service. The true Christian carries a spiritual message that leads others to God.
Witness Through Life and Conduct
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains that the first and simplest type of witnessing for Christ is witnessing through daily life. A person’s spiritual life, words, behavior, and dealings with others should reflect the presence of God within him. When people see good works, they glorify God, and the believer’s life itself becomes a spiritual message to others.
Witness Inside the Home
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III emphasizes that witnessing begins inside the home. A person is responsible to present a good example before his children and household, and to teach them the word of God and guide them to the path of spiritual life. The family is the first field of witnessing, and if a person cannot influence his household spiritually, how can he influence others outside the home?
Witness Among Friends and Society
The role of witnessing extends to friends, colleagues, and acquaintances. This witness can appear through love, virtue, purity of speech, and good treatment. A kind behavior and a gentle spiritual word may lead others to God without force or harshness.
Witness Through a Good Word
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III points to the importance of the simple spiritual word that can be said in different situations: when visiting a sick person, comforting someone who is sad, or helping someone passing through hardship. A kind word may open the heart of a person to accept God and move him toward repentance and the right path.
Indirect Ways of Witnessing
Witnessing to Christ can also happen through indirect ways, such as giving a spiritual book, sharing helpful teaching, or conveying a beneficial word from the Holy Bible or from the sayings of the Fathers. Every spiritual means that helps others know God is considered a form of witnessing.
Fruits of Spiritual Witnessing
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III affirms that witnessing for Christ benefits not only others but also the person himself. It grows love, increases spiritual knowledge, strengthens the relationship with God, and fills life with joy and spiritual experience.
A Call to Self-Examination
The lecture ends with a call for each person to examine himself: how many people did he lead to God? And what is the extent of his witness for Christ in daily life? The Christian is called to be fruitful in his life and to work for the salvation of others with love and humility.
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