To bear witness is to tell other people what we have learned about the Christian religion.

The light of the Christian, the lamp that guides sinners to Christ, is the good deeds of the saints.

When we substitute Gospel words for good deeds, the world does not see Christ. We then are preaching religion rather than Christ.

The American people to a certain extent are cynical concerning Christianity. If an individual during a jury trial were to say, "I am not lying, I am a Christian," the jury would snicker. This is not because they do not fear God but because their experience with Christians often is that the Christians cannot be trusted.

The clearest, most effective testimony to the world is a sinner whose life has been transformed so he no longer is behaving in a wicked manner but in a way that glorifies God.

We cannot possibly bring people to Christ, nor can we bear a clear witness of the Lord, until we are serving the Lord ourselves. While people may come to the altar during an evangelistic service, they probably will not become permanent members of the Body of Christ unless there are truly godly people who will guide them forward.

Also, we have a responsibility to bear witness to the world of the Person, way, will, and eternal purpose of God in Christ Jesus. The United States of America, for example, needs a clear witness of God. Such a witness is not possible until there are believers who walk with the Lord and learn His holy, righteous ways.

If the world is to be prepared for the return of Christ in His Kingdom, there must be mature saints who have been crucified with Christ, so it no longer is they who are living, but Christ who is living in them.

You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "and my servant whom I have chosen, so you may know and believe me and understand I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me." (Isaiah 43:10)

See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. (Isaiah 60:2,3)

That all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so the world may believe you have sent me. (John 17:21)

You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. (II Corinthians 3:3)

I eagerly expect and hope I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:20,21)

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. (I John 3:1-3)

To be continued.