What's Your Witness?
by Craig Kennet Miller, Director of the Center for Evangelism Through New Congregational Development, General Board of Discipleship

The reaction to Mel Gibson's The Passion of The Christ runs the gamut from those who think Gibson is crazy to moviegoers who say, "It has changed my life."

One's reaction to the movie reminds us of this scripture from 2 Corinthians 1:18, "For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."

At its simplest a person's faith in Jesus begins with his or her response to Jesus' death on the cross and his resurrection. For those who were born into the faith or who came to faith years ago, it's hard to remember how the idea that "Jesus died on the cross for our sins so that we could be saved and have eternal life" is such a revolutionary revelation. Paul's statement in 2 Corinthians 1:18 leaves no doubt as to the importance of one's reaction to the cross: those who do not believe will perish; those who do believe will be saved.

But do we in our 21st century mind truly believe this is true? Or do we believe all spiritual paths lead to the same place; some just do it better than others? Or that there is no eternity at all, but Jesus' example calls us to lead a good life?

The answers to these questions have a direct bearing on our witness to others of our faith. If our unbelieving neighbor, coworker, family member, or friend is going to perish, does that not call from us a different attitude toward them than if we think it really doesn't matter what they believe because we are all going to the same place anyway?

Gibson's movie, love it or hate it, has done one thing for us — it has caused us in the Christian community to think. While some point to this as being a great evangelistic opportunity, it goes beyond that. If Jesus truly died for our sins, does it not call us to act differently? Maybe we should think twice about cheating on our taxes, or cutting corners at the office, or trying to get ahead over the backs of our coworkers. Or how much time should we spend in prayer, reading the Bible, giving to others, and experiencing church? Or what do we do in our homes? Do we need HBO, ESPN, and CBS? Or what about that site we like to visit? After all, what do those who know us see us do that makes us any different from anyone else?

Another scripture comes to mind. 2 Corinthians 2:15-18 says, "For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? For we are not peddlers of God's word like so many; but in Christ we speak as persons of sincerity, as persons sent from God and standing in his presence."

During this season of Lent, when so many will be talking about Jesus, check your odor. Let it be a fragrance that gives life and causes those around you to breath in the sweet aroma of God's grace and love as found in Jesus Christ.

Posted 2-24-04.