Proverbs 14:25, Ye Shall Be My Witnesses

August 25, Proverbs 14:25

John 8:26-32; 2 Cor. 3:1-6 “As he is, so are we in this world” (1 John 4:17).

Ye Shall Be My Witnesses

D. Kidner rejects the Christian overtones of the A. V. (KJV) here. He believes this proverb belongs strictly in the context of the law-court. In that case, thinks David Thomas, this true witness cannot deliver souls if the facts should prove incriminating! Therefore, a true witness cannot always deliver souls. Robert Alden says, “A faithful witness might save innocent people from the death penalty, or symbolically, from a New Testament point of view, his true testimony about man’s destiny and need of Jesus Christ might save his soul for eternity. This symbolic meaning may be more than what Solomon meant, yet certainly is not more than what the Holy Spirit might have meant when He included this proverb.” This is a very important reminder that the Author of all Scripture is the Holy Spirit. The New Testament is always the key to the Old Testament. Only as we understand this true witness as a Gospel witness will this proverb prove invariably true.

The True Witness: What, then, is a true witness? Jesus Christ has come, and He is that True Witness who delivers souls! There is no other Way to the Father except by Him. Later, John says, As He was, so are we in this world. Every Christian, therefore, is a witness to the True Way (Acts 1:8-9). Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners (1 Tim. 1:15), but He condescends to use saved sinners to be witnesses unto Him! Paul also makes that clear. “Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God” (2 Cor. 5:20).

a. The Way: A true witness must come by way of the facts. Ye shall know the truth both experientially and Scripturally. A true witness to Gospel facts delivers souls (Thomas). The Apostolic witness, where it is still being carried on today, is the greatest redemptive witness in history. True believers alone can carry the wonderful Declaration of Emancipation to those who are in spiritual bondage.

b. The Truth: A true witness must declare the facts faithfully. How confusing, when many claiming to witness for Christ, think they can ignore the facts, emphasising individual experience based on an indiscriminate love glibly ascribed to God! However, if that experience, and that love-claim, contradicts Scripture, it is a deceitful witness.

c. The Life: A true witness must live the facts before the world. He must be true to the truth he proclaims. For centuries Christians have printed books to prove the truth of Christianity, yet many of them have lived as though they don’t really believe it. Remember how Paul pleaded for all believers to be living epistles, known and read of all. In this conflict there is no neutrality. If the life of a witness does not support his words, then that witness is a deceitful witness and speaks lies. “What I live by, I impart” (Augustine). What a solemn thought!

Thought: We can never save a sinner whom we do not love.

Prayer: Lord, that I might be such a witness.