And You Shall Be My Witnesses
The Main Idea of the Lecture
This lecture explains that the Christian person should not only know God or believe in Him, but is called to be a true witness for God in his life. Witnessing to Christ is not merely words that are spoken, but a life that is lived and behavior that appears in all of a person’s dealings with others.
Witnessing Through Life and Conduct
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains that the first and simplest type of witnessing is that a person witnesses to God through his personal life. When people see a person’s good works, good conduct, and commitment to love and virtue, they glorify God through this life. Therefore the believer’s life must be stable in God so that his testimony becomes effective and true.
Witnessing Inside the Home and Family
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III emphasizes that witnessing begins at home, where a person must lead his family and children to know God. The father and mother are responsible for teaching their children the word of God and planting faith in their hearts, because the home is the first spiritual school where a person learns the way of the Lord.
Witnessing Among People and in Society
Witnessing is not limited to the family only, but extends to friends, coworkers, and everyone a person meets in life. This testimony may be through a good word, a spiritual advice, a good example, or encouraging others toward repentance and drawing near to God.
Witnessing in Direct and Indirect Ways
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains that witnessing may be direct by speaking about God, or indirect by offering a spiritual book, a story from the lives of the saints, or a beneficial word that leads others to think about God. The important thing is that a person becomes a source of spiritual blessing to those around him.
The Fruits of Witnessing for Christ
When a person witnesses to Christ, he not only benefits others but also grows spiritually himself. Witnessing develops love, joy, and spiritual experience, increases a person’s knowledge of the word of God, and gives him deeper fellowship with the Holy Spirit.
The Call to a Fruitful Life
The lecture emphasizes that God will ask every person about the fruit he produced in his life. Therefore each person should ask himself: how many souls did he lead to God? And what did he do with the opportunities and words that God placed in his path?
The Spiritual Message
The main message is that every believer is called to be a light for others and a witness for Christ in daily life, whether through words or through behavior, so that he may lead others to know God and live a fruitful life that glorifies the name of the Lord.
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