Heavenly Witnesses 
By Mike Rule

Many of us worry about our witness before men and unknowingly disobey Jesus because of what men may think of us. We may sense the Spirit leading us in a direction but we reject it because of what men will say, believing that a human assessment of right and wrong is trustworthy.

But let me ask you, which witness matters most? The one you have before men, or the one you have before God? If I follow Jesus into a situation that looks very compromising, is my witness compromised, or is it increased? Am I ruining God's witness before men, or strengthening it? Who is the one who is ultimately responsible for protecting His good name?

We do not follow Jesus because of what it looks like to someone else: not what it looks like to God, the angels, or man. That is all wrapped up in appearance, but God looks at the heart. We follow Jesus because it is His life that flows out from within us and is the essence of who we are. It does not depend upon who sees or doesn't see. It depends upon Him alone. 

Verses for Reflection

2Co 5:11 & 12 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men. But we are revealed to God, and I trust also that we are revealed in your consciences. For we do not commend ourselves again to you, but are giving you occasion to glory on our behalf, so that you may have it to answer those boasting in appearance, and not in heart.

Mat 10:28 And do not fear those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. But rather fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Heb 12:1 Therefore since we also are surrounded with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily besets us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,