June 10, 2024
There are many ways to categorize people in this world. We can do this by age, gender, ethnicity, geography, nationality, etc. But the most essential signifier is this: there are those who believe in Christ and those who do not.
This explains everything in the world. Some have never heard of Christ, so they cannot believe, and others have heard and chosen to ignore Him. The Bible is clear that those who resist the Light walk in darkness and experience all that total spiritual darkness brings. We see the evidence everywhere around us.
Although it is the minority, and always will be, there are those who have heard the good news about Christ. God has graciously drawn them to Himself, and they have believed (trusted) in Christ and surrendered their lives to His control. These have been blessed to walk into the Light. They see things and experience life on an entirely different level and will throughout eternity.
BUT HOW?
There is a hinge upon which this all turns. Those who have believed must first have HEARD. Someone told them the gospel. A small verse at the crucifixion of Jesus illustrates this, written by the apostle John, whom Jesus loved.
And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also may believe. (John 19:35)
JOHN SAW
He who has seen has testified. (Vs. 35)
John was there at the crucifixion. He was an eyewitness. He saw Christ nailed to the cross and die, and then he was the first to come to the empty tomb to witness the resurrection of Christ.
If you are a follower of Christ, you have seen things. You have seen Christ in a way others have not experienced. You have watched Him save you and experienced His miraculous intervention in your life and the lives of others. You are now classed, in some measure, with John as an eyewitness of the reality of Christ.
JOHN TESTIFIED
“He who has seen has testified.” (Vs. 35)
The word “testify” is “martyreo” in the Greek from which we get the English word “martyr.” It means to bear witness. It is a strong word that implies that we will bear witness even if there is a cost to ourselves, even until death.
A witness in a court is invaluable. Almost every case is won or lost based on whether or not there is a credible witness. An undeniable witness helps people hear and believe.
THEY BELIEVED
“And he who has seen has testified … so that you also may believe.” (Vs. 35)
“How can they believe unless they hear?” Paul said. God has ordained that followers of Christ must speak of what they have experienced in salvation, knowing that their witness will be the most credible. It will carry the power of experience. But here’s the reality: People cannot believe in Christ if we do not testify of Christ. It’s as simple and as sobering as that.
ARE YOU TESTIFYING?
There are many reasons believers do not speak to others of Christ. Sometimes, it’s a lack of concern. We have become self-absorbed and have no burden for those in darkness. Often, it’s fear. But regardless of the motivation, it is deadly for us to keep our mouths closed. For they can’t believe if they don’t hear, and they won’t hear if we won’t testify.
I have a friend, Paul Worcester, who encourages college students to pray the B.O.B. prayer, as he calls it, every day. Pray for …
As an older man, my greatest regret is that I did not pray more and testify. That I did not tell everyone I saw about what I had seen in Christ. But it’s not too late for me (and you) to pray more and testify more.
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