Can I Get a Witness? – Share your story
Each Monday, our community group gathers for a meal, prayer time, and discussion of Sunday’s sermon text.
Our local assembly’s pastor has initiated a new series on First, Second and Third John. This series, which we are currently exploring, forms the basis of our community group’s discussions, including our gathering last night.
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. 1 John 1:1-5
John’s letter is short, but he opens with a powerful proclamation. Jesus is real; John (and others) have seen, heard and touched Him. John is giving eyewitness testimony proclaiming the truth and power of the gospel. Jesus the Christ is God manifest in the flesh and the source of eternal life. Those truths are our joy and our responsibility to proclaim as well.
We, too, have a testimony. We may not have seen, heard, or touched Jesus in the flesh, but every believer can testify from their own experience of the life-transforming power of Jesus. There may be those who reject our testimony or try to explain it away, but that does not alter the fundamental truth.
If you are a Christian, you can testify about the transformation from lost to saved, damned to blessed. If you have been paying attention there are many things you have experienced or seen in your own life, or the life of others than can only be explained by the work of God.
God has given us the blessing of a true testimony, the gift of salvation by grace through faith and the promise of eternal life with Him in glory. He has given us the Bible and sent the Holy Spirit to indwell us.
He has given us everything we need to proclaim His name and goodness. He has given every believer a mandate to testify and proclaim His name.
He has also given us our own witness protection program. Even if the world rejects us and takes everything, we have Him and the promise of heaven. We will be given new names known only to Him.
He is responsible for producing fruit (or not) from our efforts. Our part is to be faithful and do the proclaiming.
May you experience Him firsthand regularly and proclaim the truth.
Be blessed