There is only one thing that will assure the long-term thriving of a church, and that is God’s grace, which He pours out lavishly on those who love His son Jesus Christ. God’s grace sustains the meek, the humble, the downtrodden…and yet are not crushed.

Have you ever been cut off by a car weaving through traffic recklessly, only to notice it has a Baby On Board sticker…Maybe you thought to yourself that the driver should put the sticker on his steering wheel, since apparently he’s the one who needs the reminder. If so, then you know that how we act can easily discredit what we proclaim. Similarly, if you do not walk in a way that is worthy of your call, your testimony can be discredited by your witness.

Imagine someone inviting their neighbour to church, and telling them that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is their source of peace, love and hope, only to have their neighbour turn around and ask them: Wait… aren’t you the person who constantly yells at my kids at the park? Our actions display how we live in light of what we proclaim. That’s our witness. And while our witness can easily cancel out our testimony, our actions can also put our testimony on display. Our witness can support what we proclaim and shine a light on it…

I am struck by the closing verses of the book Ephesians when Paul confidently instructs Tychicus to tell the church in Ephesus everything (Ephesians 6:21).

How would that sound to you, if someone close to you, who knows you intimately was instructed to tell everything? I admit that it would feel more than a little unsettling to me. Tell them everything is a bold command that Paul issues to Tychicus, because Paul knows how powerful the Christian witness is.

And as daunting as it may be, I do not want cynicism to cloud my confidence in the power of the Gospel in the life of ordinary Christians. In fact, my own personal experience at my ordinary local church has been a tremendous source of encouragement to me. The Christian witness of my brothers and sisters in Christ has encouraged my heart. I have heard and seen their love for Christ guide them through their trials, and it does not fail to encourage my faith.

If you are not currently a member of a local church, I earnestly encourage you to plug into a Bible-believing, Gospel-proclaiming, Christ-exalting Church and to engage in fellowship with your brothers and sisters in Christ within that church. Soon, you too will hear and see the power of the Christian witness.

Here is a sampling of what I have heard within my own church over the years:

Yes, he did lose his job again, but you know that guy never loses hope.

Well, I know her husband is really not doing well, but you should see the way she takes care of him… that kind of love is a beautiful picture of Christian sacrificial love.

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