Issue link: https://discover.cph.org/i/1192292
"Called to Be a Witness" might seem like a shocking or scary way to start an issue on witnessing. Why talk about persecution and martyrdom when trying to encourage others to witness? Before we consider why we should witness, let's consider what keeps us from telling others about the most remarkable truth in our lives—that we have eternal life through Jesus. Many of us shy away from witnessing—but not for a lack of knowledge of Jesus' call to be His witnesses. We know we're supposed to tell others about Him. So what makes it so challenging to do? What keeps you from witnessing about the most important truth in your life? 4 Lutheran Life WHY? Finding your motivation to share Jesus There is one force underlying all my reasons: fear. Do you see a similar pattern in your answers? I'm afraid of not having all the right answers or saying something wrong or losing a friend. Fear. Considering all of that fear, why would we dare tell someone about Jesus? What's my motivation to witness? Love. God's love for me, my love for God, my love for others, and God's love for others. Love. As we consider how fear and love factor in to how we are to interact with others in response to who God is and what He's done in our lives, we can remember the words of the apostle John, who reminds us that fear has no place in love. He says, "There is no fear in love, but per- fect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punish- ment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because He first loved us" (1 John 4:18–19). God's perfect love for us is both our confidence and our motivation to love—and witness to—others. We love be- cause God has first loved us. In His love, God has defeated our greatest threats: sin, death, and the power of the devil. What fears can com- pare to those? Therefore, we join the psalmist in pro- claiming, "The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" (Psalm 118:6). God's love is our con- fidence. God's love is also our motivation. One of the best ways we can love God is by doing what He commands (1 John 5:3). That means taking seriously the Great Commission to go and make disciples (Matthew 28:19–20), that is, to witness, to tell others about Him. Jesus sends us with His authority to baptize and teach others what He has taught us. And in doing so, He promises to be with us always. As people claiming to follow Jesus, let's take se- riously His command for us to witness. Let's show others the love God has first shown us. w Scripture: ESV ®