I Saw It with My Own Eyes

Today's Verse:

The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: ~1 Peter 5:1

---

Our jurisprudence in America requires eyewitness accounts for the establishment of facts in a legal case. An eyewitness account tells the story as the witness saw it. Having more than one witness is important for consistency and truthfulness. Peter spoke about being a witness of the sufferings of Christ.

We see the credible revelation.

The revelation or testimony of a witness is to report the facts as he saw it. The goal of a witness account is credibility. Is the person giving a report that is believable by others? Can other people rely on this testimony as being factual? Peter testified of knowing the Lord Jesus Christ. He also could testify that he was a witness of Jesus' sufferings. Peter saw and touched the nail scars in Jesus' hands and feet. He saw the imprint in Jesus' forehead from the crown of thorns. He had unforgettable memories of how Jesus suffered. They were so ingrained into his thoughts that he referred to the sufferings of Jesus several times in 1 Peter. When we witness to others about Jesus, we should never water down or minimize the sufferings that Jesus endured for every sinner.

We see the crucial responsibility.

A witness is compelled to testify of what he saw or experienced. Acts 1:8 speaks of our duty as witnesses of the gospel throughout the world. As witnesses of the gospel, we are compelled to tell others about Jesus' shed blood, suffering, and death for our sins. We should always be fresh and real in our testimony. We should be accurate in quoting the Scriptures about Jesus' suffering. We should never become callous or indifferent to the suffering He endured. We have a responsibility to tell the story of Christ’s death everywhere to everyone. We should be so ingrained with the idea of Jesus being wounded for our transgressions that it is real in our hearts. We are called upon to testify always. We are to be instant in season and out of season. There should be no barriers that prevent us from telling others about Jesus' death for sinners.

We see the crowning reward of a witness.

Peter spoke of being a partaker of the glory to be revealed. We testify of Christ’s sufferings for the purpose of leading a sinner to Christ. Our end goal in witnessing is to see people saved. Those precious souls who come under conviction of their need for Christ realize they need to call on the name of the Lord to be saved. If we had a part in their salvation, there is a crown that is laid up for us in Heaven. It is a crown of rejoicing. This crown will be laid at Jesus' feet. What a joy it will be to see many crowns laid at Jesus' feet for every sinner who trusts in Him because of our witness. These crowns are a motivating incentive for us to be busy witnessing and telling people about the Lord.

Are you actively witnessing to others about the Lord Jesus? When you are in public, do you carry tracts with you? Do you participate in organized church opportunities to witness of your faith? Do you use special events at church to invite people to hear the gospel? Do you feel a tug in your heart to tell others about the Lord! Let’s be enthusiastic witnesses of the saving gospel of our Lord!

Have a witness-compelled God Morning!

Bible Reading Schedule: Deuteronomy 17-20

#1Peter #Eyes