"John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, 'This was He of whom I said, He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.’” John 1:15 (NKJV)
Yesterday we discussed the power of witness. We approached it from the standpoint of how we today can accept and believe the reality of Christ. Accepting and believing, however, is short of the full intent of witness for us.
In Jesus day, particularly at his prosecution by the local religious leaders, many false witnesses were sought and obtained to testify against him. There was a strong desire to discredit him, defame him and ultimately, end his life. After all, he claimed to be the very son of God, even God in the flesh which was considered blasphemy by the religious elite. One wonders what their religion was all about if they rejected the prophesied Messiah. Nevertheless, there were problems with their witnesses. "Now the chief priests and all the council sought testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none. For many bore false witness against Him, but their testimonies did not agree" Mark 14:55-56. Then as now, for witness to be credible, it must be consistent and found in the mouths of more than one.
Beloved, our witness is true because it comes from those who were there. Further, we can testify to the truth of our own experiences with the Lord. We are then called upon by him to share our witness with the world. What he told the apostles remains true for us today: "...but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” Acts 1:8. We know that the false witnesses gathered by the Adversary are still active. Let us combat falsehood with truth. "Let the redeemed of the Lord say so" Psalm 107:2.
Committed,
Lee
Showing posts with label Testimony. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Testimony. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Monday, October 31, 2011
The Answer-10/31/2011
"Now when John, while imprisoned, heard of the works of Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to Him, "Are You the Expected One, or shall we look for someone else?" Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and report to John what you hear and see:"
Matt 11:2-4
Dear John was truly in a bad way when his faith seemingly slipped. By all accounts he had lived a righteous life and now found himself in prison for doing nothing more than that which is right. As despondent as any of us might be in his situation, he sent his followers to ask a question that was critically important to him then as it is to us today.
This, however, is not about John's questions. It is about Christ's answer. Christ is not reported to have been annoyed at the question though he could easily have been. You see it was John that baptized him, witnessed the Holy Spirit landing on his head like a Dove and heard the voice of God verify that he indeed was His son. No, Christ answered with indulgence and evidence.
As much as this is about Christ's answer, it is about your answer. Most of us who have obeyed the gospel do a less than stellar job sharing that same gospel. It is like receiving a cure for a fatal disease and then refusing to share it with others who need it because we do not know how it works. Beloved, if you are fortunate enough to have someone ask about the source of your faith because of what they have observed in your walk, you do not have to be a theologian to answer the question. You only have to tell them what Christ has done and is doing in your life. Tell them about how far he has brought you from who you used to be and that even now, he is working in your life. Tell them about the different way you look at and respond to things based on what you have been taught by and about him. Tell them how you fell in love with him. Tell them what you have heard and seen.
Remarkably, this same information is not just an excellent answer, but it is also an excellent conversation starter.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
Matt 11:2-4
Dear John was truly in a bad way when his faith seemingly slipped. By all accounts he had lived a righteous life and now found himself in prison for doing nothing more than that which is right. As despondent as any of us might be in his situation, he sent his followers to ask a question that was critically important to him then as it is to us today.
This, however, is not about John's questions. It is about Christ's answer. Christ is not reported to have been annoyed at the question though he could easily have been. You see it was John that baptized him, witnessed the Holy Spirit landing on his head like a Dove and heard the voice of God verify that he indeed was His son. No, Christ answered with indulgence and evidence.
As much as this is about Christ's answer, it is about your answer. Most of us who have obeyed the gospel do a less than stellar job sharing that same gospel. It is like receiving a cure for a fatal disease and then refusing to share it with others who need it because we do not know how it works. Beloved, if you are fortunate enough to have someone ask about the source of your faith because of what they have observed in your walk, you do not have to be a theologian to answer the question. You only have to tell them what Christ has done and is doing in your life. Tell them about how far he has brought you from who you used to be and that even now, he is working in your life. Tell them about the different way you look at and respond to things based on what you have been taught by and about him. Tell them how you fell in love with him. Tell them what you have heard and seen.
Remarkably, this same information is not just an excellent answer, but it is also an excellent conversation starter.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
Friday, February 18, 2011
Show and Tell-DD 2/18/2011
"It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One is indeed the Savior of the world." John 4:42
Jesus had a critical conversation with a woman he happened to meet at a well drawing water. They discussed religion, morality, history and the future. She left the conversation convinced that he was the Savior. She went and told everyone she knew to come and meet him, citing that he told her everything she had ever done.
The scripture states that they came and believed because of what she said. Beloved is there anyone who has come to faith in Christ on the strength of your testimony inspired by your own experience with him? To be sure, you may be the only Jesus that someone will ever meet. The question may be asked, "What if they don't believe me?" The scripture goes on to say that there were also those who believed because of their own experience with him. They were able to do this because they were told and because they came. When is the last time you invited someone to worship?
Our responsibility is to share the good news. It is everyone's responsibility to decide. Our ever lasting hope and prayer is that all of man will believe. Let us begin with those with whom we have an audience.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
Jesus had a critical conversation with a woman he happened to meet at a well drawing water. They discussed religion, morality, history and the future. She left the conversation convinced that he was the Savior. She went and told everyone she knew to come and meet him, citing that he told her everything she had ever done.
The scripture states that they came and believed because of what she said. Beloved is there anyone who has come to faith in Christ on the strength of your testimony inspired by your own experience with him? To be sure, you may be the only Jesus that someone will ever meet. The question may be asked, "What if they don't believe me?" The scripture goes on to say that there were also those who believed because of their own experience with him. They were able to do this because they were told and because they came. When is the last time you invited someone to worship?
Our responsibility is to share the good news. It is everyone's responsibility to decide. Our ever lasting hope and prayer is that all of man will believe. Let us begin with those with whom we have an audience.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)