The powerful witness of changed lives …

by 0 Comments

There’s nothing that better substantiates the claims of the Good News of Jesus Christ than the witness of changed lives. Paul Lee Tan highlights this truth with the following story:

    Charles Bradlaugh was an outstanding atheist in England. Down in one of the slums of London was a minister by the name of Hugh Price Hughes. All London was aware of miracles of grace accomplished at his mission.

    Charles Bradlaugh challenged Mr. Hughes to debate with him the validity of the claims of Christianity. London was greatly interested. What would Mr. Hughes do? He immediately accepted the challenge and in doing so added one of his own.

    Hughes said, “I propose to you that we each bring some concrete evidences of the validity of our beliefs in the form of men and women who have been redeemed from the lives of sin and shame by the influence of our teaching. I will bring 100 such men and women, and I challenge you to do the same.

    “If you cannot bring 100, Mr. Bradlaugh, to match my 100, I will be satisfied if you will bring 50 men and women who will stand and testify that they have been lifted up from lives of shame by the influence of your teachings. If you cannot bring 50, then bring 20 people who will say, as my 100 will, that they have a great joy in a life of self-respect as a result of your atheistic teachings. If you cannot bring 20, I will be satisfied if you bring 10.

    “Nay, Mr. Bradlaugh, I challenge you to bring one, just one man or woman who will make such a testimony regarding the uplifting of your atheistic teachings.”

    Again London was stirred. What would Mr. Bradlaugh do? In answer, Charles Bradlaugh, with great discomfiture and chagrin, publicly withdrew his challenge for the debate.

It was the strategy of Jesus that the lives of His disciples would be a witness to the entire world for Him:

“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’s one thing to make claims and teach theories, it’s quite another to put up as evidence the changed lives of real people. The evidence of the truth of Christ are the multitudes of lives not just improved, and not just changed, but literally transformed by being spiritually born again:

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” 2 Corinthians 5:17.

Christians are God’s children who have been appointed as ambassadors for Christ to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ to the world (2. Cor. 5:18-20, Matt. 28:18-20), and then to use the power of a transformed life as evidence of what they proclaim:

“You are the light of the world — like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father,” Matthew 5:14-16.

Many churches today fail to use the witness of changed lives to support as evidence the preaching of the Gospel. Instead, they rely on a failed attractional model and lots of programs in a feeble attempt to stir interest in spiritually dead people. It is no wonder so many churches today are stagnating or declining.

If you want to do all you can to make disciples, preach the Gospel and support your preaching with the powerful witness of changed lives.

Scotty