JOHN'S TESTIMONY ABOUT JESUS
TUESDAY 31 MAY 2022
It's not possible for anyone to testify about Jesus, without the inspiration of the Spirit. It's equally not possible for any person to affirm the true and accurate revelation of Christ without the help of the Spirit. Indeed, it is the function of divine wisdom which comes from God. For instance, in Matthew 16:16-17 (NIV), when Simon Peter revealed who Christ is by affirming Him as Christ, the Son of the living God, Jesus replied him saying, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven."
Reference: John 3:31-34 New International Version (NIV) "The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit."
Beloved, John has just testified that the one who comes from heaven [Christ] is above all. He is heavenly and so, He does not speak the earth language, which can be beautifully expressed with worldly wisdom, but rather He speaks divinely-inspired language. In particular, He is from above and supremely beyond everything. In today's Scriptures, John fully authorizes Christ with his witness, acknowledging that He was sent by God and so, He speaks the words of God, because God has given Him the Spirit without limit.
John also confirms the truth that Christ testifies to what He has seen and heard from God, but no one accepts His testimony. What does this infer? It simply suggests that the world of unbelievers refuses to accept His truth and His operations because they do not perceive Christ, the Son of the living God and the Spirit of truth, who is with Him; Therefore, they cannot accept His testimony because they are completely under the influence of the spirit of this world which sponsors pride, ambition, and pleasure. However here's what makes the difference in the lives of those who accept the testimony of Christ - The Spirit's influence!
Jesus, while on earth, generously functioned with the gift of the Spirit without measure. This is why whoever in this world, accepts Christ and trusts Him in everything, instantly acknowledges that God is truthful and faithful forever! Why is acknowledging or certifying that God is truthful very important? Firstly, to be truthful simply means, "to express the truth." This is why the Holy Spirit is called the "Spirit of truth." He expresses the truth. So when you accept the testimony about Christ, you acknowledge the truthfulness of God, and then the Spirit, who has the truth or bears witness to the truth, reveals more to you by granting you the clarified knowledge of Christ and bringing it to your understanding. He does or achieves this in you by confirming the truth in your life through experiential proof and guidance, in accordance with God's will.
John the Baptist further testified that the Father loves the Son and has placed everything in His hands. Therefore, whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on them. Likewise, the Johannine epistle, according to John the Evangelist, placed great emphasis on believing the testimony given about Christ by saying, "And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life" (1 John 5:11-12 NIV). Also, in confirming the truthfulness of God, John revealed: "We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true. And we are in Him who is true by being in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life" (1 John 5:20 NIV). Shalom!
Scripture Reading - Isaiah 8:20; Psalm 119:46;John 8:14; 1 John 5:9.
Exuberant Declaration: I testify that I accept the testimony of Christ which certifies that God is forever truthful and also strengthens my spiritual faculties. I'm firmly persuaded of the truth of Christ's testimony who is exalted high above all things, and thus, laying hold on eternal life by my living faith and having continual fellowship with the Godhead. Hallelujah!
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