WORD From The Woods
1 John 5:6-12
“This is he who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree. If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son. Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son. And this is the testimony, that God gave 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.”
In this letter, John has talked a lot about proof that Christ is who he says He is and that the claims He made were in fact true. As John brings this letter to a close, he offers up some testimony concerning Christ, almost like he’s in a court of law. In the Old Testament, if a crime was committed and a suspect was to be convicted based on an eye witness account, there had to be at least two witnesses who’s testimonies agreed. John is using the same kind of proof here for “convicting” Jesus Christ as messiah and savior of the world. He begins by offering the minimum requirement of two witnesses, water and blood. I think that Christ coming by water likely points to His water baptism, which was well know by many in the first century. Many eye witnesses saw John the Baptist baptize Jesus and saw the Holy Spirit descend of Him like a dove. Christ coming by the blood refers to His sacrificial work of redemption on the Cross, which was also know by pretty much everyone in the known world at the time. Even to this day, the crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth is one of the most well documented historical events of all time. John didn’t rest his case with just those two witnesses even though it was powerful testimony to the people who first read this letter. John offers up the third and most convincing witness is his case, the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit, living in the hearts of true believers, is the most powerful witness about Christ even today. When true believers in Christ, follow Him through faith, the power of the Holy Spirit within them is boldly displayed in their lives. The life of a committed, Spirit filled CHRISTian is contagious! People see a difference and if their hearts are open they’ll want what believers have. The problem is that we fill our lives with all sorts of things instead of the Holy Spirit. In Romans 8, Paul tell us that a a person who seeks the things of the Spirit will live according to the Spirit, but one who seeks the things of the flesh will live according to the flesh. As you go out this week, seek to follow Christ by faith, seek the Holy Spirit and let Him fill your heart so that those around you will see His witness on your life!
God bless, and have a great week! -Terry-
1 John 5:6-12
“This is he who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree. If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son. Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son. And this is the testimony, that God gave 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.”
In this letter, John has talked a lot about proof that Christ is who he says He is and that the claims He made were in fact true. As John brings this letter to a close, he offers up some testimony concerning Christ, almost like he’s in a court of law. In the Old Testament, if a crime was committed and a suspect was to be convicted based on an eye witness account, there had to be at least two witnesses who’s testimonies agreed. John is using the same kind of proof here for “convicting” Jesus Christ as messiah and savior of the world. He begins by offering the minimum requirement of two witnesses, water and blood. I think that Christ coming by water likely points to His water baptism, which was well know by many in the first century. Many eye witnesses saw John the Baptist baptize Jesus and saw the Holy Spirit descend of Him like a dove. Christ coming by the blood refers to His sacrificial work of redemption on the Cross, which was also know by pretty much everyone in the known world at the time. Even to this day, the crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth is one of the most well documented historical events of all time. John didn’t rest his case with just those two witnesses even though it was powerful testimony to the people who first read this letter. John offers up the third and most convincing witness is his case, the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit, living in the hearts of true believers, is the most powerful witness about Christ even today. When true believers in Christ, follow Him through faith, the power of the Holy Spirit within them is boldly displayed in their lives. The life of a committed, Spirit filled CHRISTian is contagious! People see a difference and if their hearts are open they’ll want what believers have. The problem is that we fill our lives with all sorts of things instead of the Holy Spirit. In Romans 8, Paul tell us that a a person who seeks the things of the Spirit will live according to the Spirit, but one who seeks the things of the flesh will live according to the flesh. As you go out this week, seek to follow Christ by faith, seek the Holy Spirit and let Him fill your heart so that those around you will see His witness on your life!
God bless, and have a great week! -Terry-