Walking a holy life before God is a constant test of faith. God tells us in His Word how to go about such a Christian life, “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the father­less and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world” (James 1:27). This is our calling – the wonderful calling which the Bible describes as letting our “light shine before men”, showing our fruits, and witnessing (Matthew 5:16, 7:20: John 15; I John 5:6-10). With this call to wit­ness, we must ask ourselves, “How does this instruc­tion apply to us?” The teaching of Christ, “Ye are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14) is pertinent to us at home, at church, and at work. For those of us young people who do hold jobs today, the call is extended to us that we must show the fruits of a holy walk even while we work.

The discussion at hand concerns active and pas­sive witnessing in the workplace. The key to witness­ing in the workplace is being a good example to your fellow workers. This can and should be achieved actively on the part of the child of God (see Proverbs 19:15 about the evils of idleness). Good witnesses are doers of the Word (I John 5).

Active participation in conversations is one good way to do this. We must be vocal about our beliefs and then follow up by being proper examples. A sound wit­ness is one who heard. Let them hear what you believe! Making friends and helping to guide them in the truth is another invaluable form of active witness­ing. Active witnessing means sharing and loving, help­ing and caring.

Witnessing in the workplace is also passive. Since men of the world and other Christians as well can see us by our fruits, everything we say and do is a visible segment of our witness life in the workplace. Let them see how you walk! Fellow workers and employers know if we work on Sunday or not. They can see if we steal from others or not. They notice the presence or absence of cursing and swearing in our mouths. They will notice when you thank the Lord in prayer before lunch break or when you fail to. Laborers around you take into account whether you work hard and honest­ly for your earnings or not. This is passive witnessing; it is the good works they see in us, and the evils they cannot see in our walk.

Witnessing in the workplace is not bragging about all the wonderful feats of faith you have performed. Faith is not in and of ourselves, it is a gift of God. It is not keeping silent when a fellow worker falls into sin. That would be a sin of omission and a failure to wit­ness.

Witnessing requires dedication and hard work. Hard work, indeed. The labors involved in active, as well as passive, witnessing are a burden. It takes God’s blessing of strength upon us each day. The work never lessens – the calling is always before us. Thank­fully, this constant test of faith becomes a source of vast wealth in our lives – the sort of wealth that enriches our faith.

Just remember to always come to God in prayer and find answer in His Word. Ask for His guidance and blessing on your work. After all, we cannot do anything of our own strength.

Active and passive witnessing work together. Vocal participation clarifies what coworkers see in your job life. Dedicate yourself to this task in the service of Christ. Others will know you by your fruits. Your efforts will be evident to all – not only your fellow workers, but everyone you come into contact with at home, at school, and at play.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify our Father which is in heaven.”

For yesterday is already a dream, and tomorrow is only a vision;

But today, well lived, makes every yesterday

A dream of happiness, and every tomorrow a vision of hope.