The FATHER Testifies
We all desire people to testify about us and it is a wonderful thing when they do. But what if we do not receive the testimony from our parents, other family members, associates, and friends? What then? Are we just going to give up because it seems as though no one cares? Are we supposed to not keep going forward because we do not hear people acknowledge our success? Are we to begin to think that we are not being effective with how we are helping others, and so on? I know that it is a tough spot to be in and often when we do not receive or do not hear testimonies from our parents and other family members the people that are supposed to love us the most, our spirits are crushed and wounded. Therefore, we need that place of serenity, those of us who are in CHRIST JESUS. To know that our Heavenly FATHER will testify of us. Just as The FATHER testified about JESUS, HE will testify about us HIS children through CHRIST JESUS as well. This is a HALLEJUAH moment right here!
CHRIST JESUS is HIS own testimony and HIS testimony about HIMself is true. But what is more important about HIS testimony is that The FATHER also testifies of JESUS. The FATHER is JESUS’ biggest cheerleader, and HE is never absent from leading the cheer about JESUS.
The FATHER is a true witness, and we can rely on HIS testimony with complete certainty. I am not going to gloss over this testimony about JESUS The CHRIST because I believe that when we read about JESUS coming with water and blood, we do not understand what is truly meant by this scripture. So, today we will get the understanding based on the commentary by Matthew Henry. We are inwardly polluted by sin this is the nature by which we all are born. We are sinners before we are able to speak or do anything by ourselves. Why are we considered sinners when we have done nothing sinful? It is our heart that is defiled and our spirit our true self is dead though we are born living beings. This is what we inherited from our father Adam. When we by faith begin to believe in JESUS, JESUS will wash us clean inwardly with HIS spiritual water. This is what HE does as our SAVIOR and no other person, and nothing has the power to do this. This cleansing of HIS water bathes the soul, and the human soul is our mind [the heart], our will [that which we think to do], and our emotions [our attitude]. HIS type of washing and cleansing is our being regenerated and renewed by the Holy Ghost. Everything JESUS did which is left as an example for us to follow is teachable. When JESUS knelt and washed HIS disciples’ feet Peter declined, Jn. 13:8, mostly out of misplaced reverence towards JESUS. Remember, The FATHER gave Peter revelation knowledge as to who JESUS truly is. “YOU are The CHRIST/MESSIAH, The SON of the Living GOD” Mt. 16:16. But instead of rebuking Peter, JESUS simply explained in love to Peter that HE must wash humankind or else humankind will have no part with HIM, Jn. 13:8. Outwardly we are held captive by the guilt of all that we have done and most often people will try or maybe we have allowed them to succeed with what they say about our conduct in our past. Guilt and shame have only one purpose and that is to condemn. This is what separates us from GOD and keeps us banished from HIS favorable grace. So, the Blood of JESUS atones us forever. We are all governed by laws, the law of the road, the law of crime, and so on. Heaven is no different, the law says the following: Without the shedding of blood there will be no remission, Mt. 26:28. The Holy Spirit also testifies of JESUS and the Holy Spirit is the truth.
My favorite gospel is the book of John because John illuminates JESUS in a way that the other three gospels leave out. Remember each of the gospels is an eyewitness account of all that they have seen and heard. As much love as JESUS showed each disciple those that recorded their account of what they witnessed, none but the book of John wrote that he is loved by JESUS, Jn. 19:26. John wrote about what he most likely heard from Andrew because Andrew was a disciple of John the Baptizer. This is the testimony of John the Baptizer: “There stands ONE among you whom you do not know. It is HE who, coming after me, is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose.” John saw JESUS coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The LAMB of GOD who takes away the sin of the world! This is HE of whom I said, “After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for HE was before me” Jn. 1:26, 29-30. JESUS was testified of man to prepare the hearts of man and it is no different today. We are to testify of JESUS every chance we get it can be done audibly with someone, we can write, we can give people CHRISTian tracts, we can put on plays, there are so many ways by which we can testify of JESUS so none of GOD’s children have an excuse as to why we do not testify of HIM. JESUS is coming back so we must try and prepare the hearts of humankind. JESUS did not come into being when HE was born from HIS Blessed Mother Mary. JESUS existed from the beginning; JESUS is eternal. The message and discipline that we have and are freed by is the Lamp of Israel that burns brightly within our hearts.
Brothers and sisters of the Living GOD through CHRIST JESUS we must not be like those who hear the Word of GOD and rejoice for a short while. Let us take the teaching of the parable and learn from it. “So, listen to the meaning of that story about the farmer. The farmer is anyone who testifies about JESUS.
- What is the seed that fell by the road? That seed is like the person who hears the teaching about the kingdom but does not understand it. The Evil One comes and takes away the things that were planted in that person’s heart.
- And what is the seed that fell on rocky ground? That seed is like the person who hears the teaching and quickly accepts it with joy. But he does not let the teaching go deep into his life. He keeps it only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the teaching he accepted, then he quickly gives up.
- And what is the seed that fell among the thorny weeds? That seed is like the person who hears the teaching but lets worries about this life and love of money stop that teaching from growing. So the teaching does not produce fruit in that person’s life.
- But what is the seed that fell on the good ground? That seed is like the person who hears the teaching and understands it. That person grows and produces fruit, sometimes 100 times more, sometimes 60 times more, and sometimes 30 times more.”
The seed which is the testimony of JESUS is planted into the heart which is fertile soil.
Sometimes, our testimony of JESUS will cause our enemies to protect us. Sometimes, members of our family, our co-workers, schoolmates, and associates/friends will not accept what we have to say about JESUS but will admire the testimony of our character. We often will lose those that we love or like, but this is not our fault if our character is righteous before the LORD GOD and our integrity is pure. However, this does not mean that though people who are familiar with our testimony of JESUS may not believe in HIM at that moment that they will not be intrigued enough to ask us questions and when they do, we must be ready with the answer. Even if for a brief moment we cannot call to remembrance what the scripture teaches us, be mature enough to say to anyone who asks, “I cannot think of the scripture now that answers that question but I will look it up and share it with you before days end or no later than the following day”. We must get back to anyone that has a question because they are being bothered by what they believe is true and what the Word of GOD is true. They need us to clarify, and we gain all of our wisdom through the Holy Spirit who will speak to us, lead us, and teach us. King Herod jailed John the Baptizer because his wife wanted him to do this. The only reason King Herod’s wife wanted this is fused out of hatred for John regarding what he said about the marriage of Herod and Herodias. They not only were unlawfully wed but this also was an incestuous relationship because Herodias was still married to Herod’s brother. The more Herod listened to John the more he respected and enjoyed him. However, the things that John spoke to Herod confused him because he had never heard anyone speak like this before and he had never seen in the lives of others the restraint from sin. What Herod did and spoke was not only out of his sinful nature but because this was all that he knew from what he was taught by his culture.
Reference Scriptures: Matt. 3:17; John 8:18, 1 John 5:16, John 1:15, 2 Ptr. 1:19, Mt. 13:18-23, Mrk. 6:20 NKJV, CEB, CJB, GNT, ICB
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