Are You a Witness to God

The title martyr is given to those who are killed for a cause, but being a martyr isn’t always about being killed. Sometimes being a martyr (the word simply means witness in Greek) is living according to the teachings of God, and living those teachings openly.

As we focus on the lives of the saints as inspiration for our life in contemporary America, we must ask ourselves, “Are we living as witnesses for God?” If someone considers out life choices, our interactions with strangers, our relationships with coworkers and friends, would they find faithful Christians?

Beloved, since Christ suffered in the flesh for us, arm yourselves with the same thought, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer by human passions but by the will of God. Let the time that is past suffice for doing what the Gentiles like to do, living in licentiousness, passions, drunkenness, revels, carousing, and lawless idolatry. They are surprised that you do not now join them in the same wild profligacy, and they abuse you; but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is why the gospel was preached even to the dead, that though judged in the flesh like men, they might live in the spirit like God. The end of all things is at hand; therefore keep sane and sober for your prayers. Above all hold unfailing your love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins. Practice hospitality ungrudgingly to one another. As each has received a gift, employ it for one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who utters oracles of God; whoever renders service, as one who renders it by the strength which God supplies; in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. – 1st Peter 4.1-11

In today’s Epistle reading, Saint Peter challenges us to this life, and goes so far as expecting us to be noticed by others. “They are surprised that you do not now join them….” Saint Peter doesn’t expect us to be violent, just people of Godly choices willing to be judged by the world, so the world can know Christ.

There are many manuscripts of ancient pagans that praised the behavior of Christians toward others, especially toward those in need. In a world that was officially anti-Christian, it was the lives of Christians that served as a witness to God, and the world changed. Yes, many were killed, but many more survived to live in peace with their enemies. Eventually the world took notice. Eventually the world openly confessed Christ.

Fast forward to 21st Century America, and the tide is changing. More and more, our society is departing from Christ, in the name of freedom and individuality. Now is our chance to live our Christian lives openly as a witness to God. Now is our chance to be noticed, not for our sake, but for the sake of the Gospel. Now is out chance, “in order that in everything God may be glorified.”

It is never easy to live a Christian life. That is why we call it the Cross. Let the world be filled with drunkenness, carousing, and licentiousness, etc. We will live as witnesses to God, and glorify God.