Note: This article was written as a response and complementary piece to the contributed Investing in Eternity: The Life and Ministry of Dr Peggy C Wong by Verity Faith
As Christians, we are called to be the salt and light of the world, influencing and changing our environment for God’s glory. Yet the pace of change in the world around us is staggering, and not all of it aligns with God’s ways. When confronted with the rapid changes in society, it can be an intimidating thing to juggle faithfulness and relevancy. We see injustice, suffering, and brokenness around us, and our hearts feel the ache of the Father. Being a Christian in this sort of flawed world is for many of us isolating, challenging, and even disillusioning. However, it is precisely at such a moment as this that God calls us to live as witnesses, to give testimony to the hope and love that are in Jesus Christ.
The role of a witness should not be underestimated. An eyewitness’s words in a court of law can determine an outcome of a case, carrying weight and voice because they bear witness to the truth. Our lives and words can also bear witness to the truth of the Gospel. This call was committed by Jesus Himself to His disciples, promising that the Holy Spirit would empower them to witness, not just in their local communities, but to the ends of the Earth (Acts 1:8). The early Christians took this charge seriously, and today we are the beneficiaries of this call. The question is, what was the secret of their effectiveness, and how can we emulate their example in our own lives today?
God’s Covenantal Character
God has always been covenantal in His relationship with us. From the time He established a covenant with Abraham that He would bless the world through him (Genesis 12:1-3), to the time He covenanted with the Israelites when they entered into the Promised Land, God’s people were called to be testaments of His glory (Deuteronomy 4:5-8). These covenants reveal God’s desire to make Himself known through His people, calling them to live lives that reflect His character to those around them. When Christ came, He opened the way to a personal and intimate relationship between God and His people, empowering them with His Spirit to carry on the work of reconciliation and salvation. This was the heart of the Great Commission and it remains our calling today.
The early disciples were not alone as they brought the Gospel into the world. They were armed with the authority of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit, who guided their words, their actions, and their testimony. With this Spirit-filled presence, they spoke with boldness, loved with authenticity, and even performed miracles, not in their own strengths, but God’s. Yet their paths were not without adversity. They experienced persecution, rejection, and even martyrdom. Jesus had already foretold these adversities, reminding His disciples that the world would be against them because it had been against Him (John 15:18-25). In spite of their knowledge of the tribulations that lay ahead of them, they pressed on, driven by a deep inner persuasion and the love of Christ. This endurance became the hallmark of the early Church and the foundation of its growth.
Being Witnesses Today
Every believer today has an equal potential to be a witness for Christ. This ministry is not just for clergy, missionaries, and formally-trained theologians. It is open to all who have committed themselves to Christ. The path is not always easy. Just as it was for the first Christians, we might encounter opposition, misunderstanding, or indifference. Yet our priority remains Christlikeness; that is, to be like Christ. Jesus Himself modeled a life of radical love, compassion, and humility, and He also modeled for us what it means to be fully human and yet fully God’s. If we belong to Him, our lives will necessarily be shaped by His character, and our testimonies will become authentic.
True impact comes from a genuine and Spirit-led life – one where our thoughts, words, and actions reflect the love and truth of Christ. Recently, Dr. Peggy C. Wong wrote a book in which she demonstrates that evangelism is not a matter of formula, strategy, or technique. It is relational, rooted in kindness, compassion, and sensitivity to the needs of others. This involves journeying with people in times of joy and struggle, allowing the Spirit to lead the conversation to places where hearts are moved and lives transformed.
The calling of being a Christ-witness may involve sacrifice. There may be a cost in taking up a commitment to Christ above convenience, courage above conformity, and integrity above popularity. But we aren’t left to chart this course ourselves. Scripture reminds us of a “great cloud of witnesses” who similarly suffered and prevailed through faith. We are sustained by the same Holy Spirit that led the early Church, and we are reminded constantly that God’s grace is enough in every area of weakness. The Gospel shows that even in the most difficult situations, God’s power and presence can still shine through.
Moreover, the life of the Christian is both relational and practical. Testifying means addressing the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of others; breaking bread with the hungry, consoling the afflicted, and offering hope to those who feel abandoned. When Jesus’ followers lived in obedience to God, their love and service were a witness to His reality. We can do the same today in our own acts of service and kindness, knowing that God does remarkable things through ordinary people. Every kind word and every act of giving can be a stepping stone to Christ for someone who needs Him.
The call to be a witness is ultimately a call of hope. We are proclaiming an Almighty and sovereign God who is reconciling the world unto Himself. Our testimony reminds the world that the power of God’s grace is always sovereign over sin, His mercy over suffering, and that God’s love endures eternally. As Dr. Wong’s life and book testifies, investing in eternity begins with seeing people the way God sees them – as valuable souls, worthy of love, redemption, and salvation. Through simple conversations, acts of service, or Spirit-enabled words of encouragement, our lives can carry to a hurting world the good news of reconciliation.
In Dr. Wong’s book, we are called to practice evangelism as a lifestyle and not as an occasional activity. In such an evangelical lifestyle, the power of the Gospel is revealed as we live it out in our daily interactions. We are witnesses at home, work, school, and community, carrying Christ’s light to shine in both the ordinary and extraordinary moments. Being a Christ-witness is not about recognition or accolades; it is about being responsible stewards of the message God has entrusted to us, knowing that every relationship has eternal significance.
Living as a witness for Christ is ultimately investing in eternity. It is placing the transformation of hearts over personal agendas, obedience over convenience, and reflecting God’s love in tangible ways. The early Christians endured persecution, hardship, and rejection, yet their faith transformed the world. The same Spirit that gave them power now gives us power to carry on their work. As we live as witnesses, not only do we point others to Christ, but we also grow in faith ourselves, becoming more like Him in the process.
Being a witness for Christ encompasses many aspects; to obey the Father willingly, to love sacrificially, and to witness uncompromisingly. The world may not always welcome, comprehend, or accept our witness. Yet, with every act of obedience and every Spirit-guided conversation, God’s glory is revealed, hearts are changed, and lives are transformed. We are invited to invest in eternity, one relationship at a time – and one life at a time – for God’s glory.
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