Dr. Yumri Taipodia

Christians believe in a missionary God. Mission flows from the very being and nature of God. From the beginning, God has been reaching out to humanity with His love, grace, mercy, and salvation. As the Body of Christ, therefore, mission has become central to the existence and calling of the Church. The Church does not exist only for itself but is called to participate in God’s mission in the world.

Imitating Christ in every aspect of life, especially in witnessing to the world and sharing His love, is essential for every Christian. Christian witness is not limited to preaching from a pulpit or speaking about the Bible. It is also demonstrated through our character, conduct, relationships, service, compassion, and attitude toward others. The proclamation of the Word of God should always be according to the principles of the Gospel, with genuine respect, humility, and love for human beings.

In this article, the writer addresses a few practical issues associated with Christian witness in a secular world. It is hoped that Christians across world will study these principles in the light of their own practices in witnessing their faith in Christ, both by word and by deed.

With Gentleness and Respect

For Christians, it is both a privilege and a joy to give an account of the hope that is within them, but this witness should be offered with gentleness and respect. Christian witness should never be presented through arrogance, hostility, insult, or contempt for people of different beliefs and backgrounds. The Gospel calls Christians to communicate their faith while respecting the dignity and conscience of every human being.

Christians are called to work together with people in mutual respect, promote justice, contribute to peace, and seek the common good of society. The Gospel can challenge certain aspects of culture, but Christians must distinguish between challenging practices and disrespecting people. When the Gospel challenges particular cultural practices or beliefs, the Christian response should still be characterized by love, wisdom, patience, and respect.

In order to witness Christ faithfully, any comment, disagreement, or critical approach should be expressed in a spirit of mutual respect. A harsh or disrespectful approach can create a negative image of Christianity and may prevent people from understanding the true nature of the Gospel. Christian witness should instead open opportunities for meaningful conversation and friendship.

Therefore, Christians should continue to build relationships of respect and trust with the people among whom they live. Genuine relationships provide opportunities for Christians to demonstrate the love of Christ naturally. People should be able to see the character of Christ not only in what Christians say but also in how they treat their neighbors, colleagues, friends, and those who may disagree with them.

Acting in God’s Love

Love is one of the attributes of God. God is the Creator, author, and source of love. The Christian understanding of love begins with God Himself, who reaches out to humanity with grace and compassion. Therefore, Christians are called to conduct themselves with genuine love, kindness, humility, and compassion.

At the same time, Christians are called to overcome arrogance, condescension, prejudice, and disparagement. Christian witness should never become an instrument for humiliating or degrading another person. Christians must reject all forms of psychological or social violence, including the misuse or abuse of power, in their witness.

As followers and preachers of peace, Christians are commanded to live a life of love and to love their neighbors as themselves. The love of Christ should be the driving force behind Christian mission. When Christians genuinely live according to Christ’s love, that love can become a visible testimony to the people among whom they live.

Christian love must be genuine and without partiality. It should not be motivated by personal advantage, political influence, social recognition, or the expectation of receiving something in return. God’s love is outgoing, gracious, and without blemish. Therefore, Christian witness should reflect the same spirit of selfless love.

The Christian does not love only those who agree with him or share the same faith. The example of Christ calls His followers to demonstrate compassion even toward those who oppose or misunderstand them. Such love does not mean compromising biblical convictions. Rather, it means holding firmly to those convictions while treating every person with dignity and respect.

By Service

As followers of Jesus Christ, Christians are called to serve others, just as our Lord Himself taught and demonstrated. Jesus showed compassion toward the poor, the weak, the suffering, and the marginalized. Christian service, therefore, is an important expression of Christian witness.

Through acts of service, Christians may recognize Christ among the least, the weak, and the vulnerable. Any genuine act of service rendered in the name of God and for the glory of God can become an integral part of Christian witness. Such service may include education, healthcare, disaster relief, assistance to the needy, caring for the vulnerable, and other forms of humanitarian support.

However, Christian service should never be used as a means of exploiting the difficult circumstances or needs of people. The Gospel does not provide a justification for taking advantage of someone’s poverty, suffering, or vulnerability. Therefore, Christians must denounce and refrain from offering improper allurements, including financial incentives or rewards, as a means of influencing people’s religious decisions.

Such practices can betray the spirit of the Gospel and may cause unnecessary suffering, misunderstanding, and mistrust. Christian service should be offered freely, sincerely, and compassionately, without manipulating those who receive it.

It must be clear that the writer does not intend to blame any particular Christian organization or suggest that Christian organizations are engaged in such practices. Rather, this article presents the biblical concept of Christian witness as understood from the teachings of Scripture. The purpose is to encourage Christians to examine their own methods and ensure that their witness remains faithful to the character and teaching of Jesus Christ.

Above All, Prayer

Above all, praying for our neighbors and for their well-being is an integral part of Christian life and the existence of the Church on earth. Prayer demonstrates that Christian mission ultimately depends upon God rather than human ability.
Christians should pray for their families, communities, neighbors, leaders, and even those who disagree with them. Prayer teaches Christians to see people not merely as members of a particular community or followers of another religion, but as human beings created by God and worthy of dignity and respect.

Our prayer for people also reveals who we are and what we do in Christ’s mission. It demonstrates our dependence upon God and our obedience to His instructions to His followers. A praying Church becomes a witnessing Church because prayer shapes the heart of the believer and directs Christian mission toward God’s purposes.

Christian witness, therefore, is expressed through gentleness and respect, through genuine love, through selfless service, and above all through prayer. The Church is called to proclaim Christ faithfully while demonstrating His character in everyday life. When Christians witness through both word and deed, their lives can become a living testimony to the Gospel in the secular world.

Dr Yumri Taipodia, Columnist, India. Dr Yumri Taipodia is a theological columnist who writes on Christian theology, faith, and contemporary issues.

(Source: Based on Christian Witness in a Multi-Religious World (2011), PCID, WCC & WEA. Reflections are the author’s own.)