Witnessing: The Time Is Now!

I recently had the opportunity to watch the movie documentary “UNSTOPPABLE” which I enjoyed very much. I know the movie has been out for awhile but I seem to have fallen into the gulley of not keeping current with what is going on in the world outside of what I have been personally involved in. That’s not necessarily a good thing on my part but I will be working on that as time progresses. However, one thing that stopped me in my tracks was the song entitled “The Time Is Now” by Warren Barfield. Hearing this song, I picked my jaw up off the floor and thought, “That’s what witnessing is all about!” I’d never thought about it in the way that Warren lays it out in this song but it is only a wonder that I had not because I can relate to the song on a deeply personal level within my own life and I was reminded of my own personal failures. The following are the words to one verse and the chorus.

I tried to be a good boy, but I ain’t a boy no more.

I’ve seen some things that a man just can’t ignore.

And this world is gonna see what I’m standing for.

I’ve kept my peace, and I can’t hold my tongue anymore.

You can’t buy my silence. You can’t steal my voice.

You can’t keep me quiet. I will bring the noise.

You can beat me down, tell me to shut my mouth,

But there’s a time to speak and the time is now!

This is a beautiful illustration of witnessing! We live in a society and culture where it is perceived that if we disagree with someone then we must hate them. That is, of course, a fallacy. It is often further perceived that if we disagree with them (and therefore hate them) that we are out to destroy them. Nothing could be further from the truth! Such is the case with episode involving Phil Robertson and his comments in a GQ magazine interview regarding his views towards homosexuality being a sin. A&E network banished him from further filming on their “Duck Dynasty” television program. Phil didn’t back down and neither did his family when they stood firmly with Phil. Now it might be said that Phil could stand his ground because he had a 400 million dollar empire backing him. After all, money makes the world go around, right? Don’t believe it!

Phil stood his ground because it was the right thing to do. When we witness to others and stand firm on the teachings of the Bible we will be persecuted. The Bible teaches that we will be persecuted. It is not my intention to re-hash the Phil Robertson incident with A&E network. Certainly, enough has been said and written about this spectacle. However, it is a real world and current illustration how persecution will follow those who stand firm in their Christian faith and have the boldness to follow through with it.

Are you prepared to witness to others? Are you prepared for the persecution that may ensue because of your witness? Are you living your life as a living witness? Remember, Jesus’ last words before ascending into heaven was a command to become His witnesses to the world. There is indeed a time to speak and in the words of Warren Barfield “The Time Is Now!” God Bless!

In His Grip,

Lonnie Richardson

P.S. The song “The Time Is Now” is on Warren Barfield’s album “Redbird“. I suggest that you pick up a copy for yourself and enjoy!

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Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)
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Amplified Bible (AMP)
Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.

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New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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