Blowing our cover
In 1970, the United States Marshals Service established the Witness Protection Program. Recognizing that the dangers of testifying would frighten many witnesses into silence, the program was designed to encourage witnesses to testify by providing them with new names, new identities, and new homes to protect them from intimidation prior to their testimony and retaliation afterwards. Since its inception, more than 7,500 witness and 9,500 family members have been protected by the program and, according to the USMS website, “No program participant who follows security guidelines has ever been harmed while under the active protection of the Marshals Service.” Fear can silence men who might otherwise speak up in defense of a noble cause. Allaying such fear is a crucial step in ensuring faithful testimony.
There is no more noble cause than that to which Christians have been called. It is our privilege to be witnesses of the One who is the Truth. You’d think that we would always be eager to testify of Him. Yet, if we are honest, many of us must confess that such is not always the case. Why? What is the source of our reluctance? There are many answers to that question, but perhaps the most common—and honest—is fear. How can we deal with that fear?
First, we should confess it and ask the Lord to change us. The self-righteous pretence of bravery will not impress Him. But He will delight to prove Himself strong to those who confess their weakness and depend upon Him for deliverance from it.
Secondly, it might help to be realistic about the amount of danger we actually face. Ironically, those whose risk of persecution is the greatest seem to be the ones who fear it the least. Whereas those of us whose greatest risk is a little mockery—and, typically, not even that—are the most intimidated.
Thirdly, we need to put things into perspective. What is the worst the enemy can do? The Lord Jesus reminded the persecuted church at Smyrna that not even death was an obstacle to Him. He “was dead, and has come to life” (Rev. 2:9). Christ will take the enemy’s worst and transform it into the crown of life (Rev. 2:10).
But most importantly, the antidote to fear is to “consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart” (Heb. 12:3). We are witnesses. We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses (Heb. 12:1). But there is a far greater Witness. Jesus Christ, the faithful and true Witness (Rev. 1:5; 3:14), has shown us the way. It cost Him His life. So we, too, are to lay down our lives for the gospel. For some, that will entail the death of the body. For all, that will entail the death of the old man. Because there are things other than fear that prevent our witnessing. Unbelief. Apathy. Worldliness. These need to be executed as we daily entrust ourselves to the One who died that we might live.
The idea of a Witness Protection Program didn’t originate with the United States Marshals Service. Long before the U.S. Marshals, before the United States, in fact, before the creation of the world, the Lord arranged for the security of His witnesses. A new name (Rev. 2:17). A new identity (Rev. 3:5). A new home (Rev. 3:12).
Perfect security. Eternal security.
“You who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Pet. 1:5).