September 14, 2007

The US Federal Witness Protection Program (or Witness Security Program, WITSEC) is a fascinating thing, and is often used as inspiration for movies and television programs.  Instituted in 1970 as a measure to gather ammunition in the very difficult and protracted battle against organized crime (wherein viable witnesses were few and far between), it is the manner and means by which witnesses to crimes are spirited away to undisclosed locations, given a new last name (preferably with the same initial as their old one), a new home, and a new job.  Thus armed with a new identity, the witness is shielded from intimidation (prior to trial of the accused) and retaliation (once the trial is over).

The US Marshal Service indicates a conviction rate of 89% in trials in which its protected witnesses are key.  Interestingly, only 17% of program participants with a criminal history prior to enrollment into the program are arrested and charged again for criminal acts.

A vague but hopefully enlightening parallel exists in the Christian life.  Men and women who have turned from their sin and placed their faith in Jesus Christ are themselves ushered into a program and process by which they are “relocated”, given new “identities”, and become “key witnesses” in a world that is amuck with the crime of sin (organized and unorganized).

When you place your faith in Jesus and are made a child of God, you are “relocated” as you are “raised with Christ… and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:1a, 3 NIV).  You are moved out from the spiritual land of darkness and decay and now dwell spiritually in the light of God’s Son.

You are also given a new identity but in a much more radical manner than is accomplished by WITSEC.  No longer are you merely a “sinner”, a “doer of condemnable deeds” as well as an heir of condemnation, fully deserving of judgment.  Instead you are made a “saint”, set free from the condemnation that Christ Jesus took upon Himself in your place, charged with holy living, and set free to do the works of blessing, virtue, and love.

“You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him Who call you out of darkness into His wonderful light” 1 Peter 2:9 NIV).

So much more significant is this new identity than one offered by the Federal government.  The US Marshal Service and the US Department of Justice’s Office of Enforcement Operations can give a new name but not a new heart.  It can assign a new identity but it cannot transform your character.  It can help you alter all the appearances of who you are, but it is incapable of changing who you are on the inside.  One’s identity in Christ, however, truly makes a new man out of him.

So, no matter that your past hauntingly echoes failures, mistakes, and betrayals in your ears.  No matter that your present circumstances scream at you that you are small and insignificant.  No matter that the phantoms of fear taunt you about the uncertainty of the future.  The guilt of your past is forgiven and cleansed, your present is overshadowed by the presence of your Heavenly Father, and your future is an invitation to walk with and experience God (see John 1:12-13 and Romans 8:28-30).

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them together in perfect unity” (Colossians 3:12-14 NIV).

As God effects in us this new identity, He also invites us to participate in confessing to the world His identity, His love, and His judgment against sin.  As witnesses of the fact that His Son willingly laid His life down in our place to vindicate the holiness of God’s Law as well as lovingly given us the means by which we can escape His judgment, we are each commissioned to share with the world the hope that we have in Christ and the need of all men and women to also turn to Him.

“Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  Live such good lives among the pagans (those who do not know God) that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us” (1 Peter 2:11 NIV).  “… You will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8 NIV).

You and I are given a great opportunity to not only escape God’s judgment but to also be a catalyst for the salvation of others.  If you have not yet been “enrolled” into God’s “Witness Protection Program”, be aware that you’re in great danger.  But, in turning to Jesus, you are given an awesome hope, a new identity, and a job to do.  If you have been brought into His spiritual family, remember that you are not saved merely for your own benefit, but for His glory and the benefit of others in your home, your community, and your world.  Be a part of what God is doing and let Him reveal His love and power to you as you trust Him.

(Thom Mollohan and his family have ministered in southern Ohio the past twelve years.  He is the pastor of Pathway Community Church, which meets on Sunday mornings at 455 Third Avenue.  He may be reached for comments or questions by email at pastorthom@pathwaygallipolis.com).