WITNESS

WITNESS

If you are called to testify about something you have seen or that you know about, it is sinful to refuse to testify, and you will be punished for your sin. —Leviticus 5:1

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere–in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. —Acts 1:8

It is an interesting statement in Leviticus 5:1. If someone was a witness to something or new about something and refused to testify, then it was sin and they would be punished for refusal to bear witness. Think of our culture and all the sinful acts that are committed, but people don’t want to get involved and bear witness to them. “When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, people’s hearts are filled with schemes to do wrong” (Ecclesiastes 8:11). This can be seen with the recent “protests” that are more like riots. The one that just took place in Berkeley resulted in only one arrest http://www.nationalreview.com/article/444547/berkeley-riots-disgraceful-violence-milo-yiannopoulos-protest . The police, from what I read, were told to “stand down” for awhile. In other words they were letting these thugs do what they wanted and nobody, except for one, has held accountable. This type lawlessness will increase if it is not dealt with in a proper and lawful manner. There are plenty of witnesses seeing and hearing these destructive activities, but where are the witnesses coming forward? Why is law enforcement not bearing witness about these things? This is sinful behavior.

Now this brought up an interesting question as Acts 1:8 came to mind. When I am not willing to bear witness to Jesus, is that sin? I am not talking about missed opportunities, but an opportunity where I say, think or act— “no I am not going to say anything right now.” If I refuse to bear witness when I have opportunity is what I am talking about. It is something that I am mulling over in my head. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YgfiaLk0kE

Dear Father, please, may I not refuse ever to bear witness to Jesus. Instead, may I always be ready to give an answer to those I have opportunity to speak with. May it be so in the authority of Jesus and by the power of Your Holy Spirit.