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.

One of the most vital questions every person must answer is: Who is Jesus?  This question has been answered in many ways.  Some affirm that Jesus was a good man, a prophet, and influential teacher.  While all those answers are true, they don’t affirm enough about His identity.  Others claim Jesus was a myth, rebel, or lunatic.  These claims are false and represent a rejection of Jesus.  The truth is that Jesus is God, the second member of the Trinity, who became a man through incarnation, He is the payment for the sins of man, resurrected Savior, Creator, King, and Lord.  How we answer this question reveals what we believe and our eternal destiny.

THE IDENTITY OF THE TESTIFIERS: There are three testifiers identified in this passage: water, blood, and Spirit.  It is hard to be dogmatic about exactly what is meant by water.  The most likely interpretations are that water refers to His birth, baptism, or that both water and blood refer to the water mixed with blood that flowed from the side of Christ on the cross.  John is defending that Jesus is the Son of God.  The incarnation and deity of Christ are essential truths to the doctrine of salvation.  Jesus was born through water like every other person.  God declared that Jesus was His beloved Son at His baptism.  Jesus shed His blood for the sin of mankind on the cross.  He satisfied the justice of God by taking the wrath of God for sin upon Himself.  The Spirit of God testifies to the truth of Christ’s identity as well as the fact that He died for our sins.  The incarnation, crucifixion, and the Spirit of God all testify together as to the person and work of Jesus. 

THE REQUIREMENT OF THE TESTIMONY: What is required as a result of these testimonies is simply that we believe them.  The testimony of John, the apostles, and all who witnessed the life, death, and resurrection of Christ is clear and consistent.  Even greater than the testimony of man is the testimony of God Himself through the declaration at His baptism and the presence of His Spirit.  We have a choice to make.  We can either receive these testimonies and believe that Jesus is the Son of God who was sent to pay for our sin; or we can reject these testimonies and accuse God of being a liar.  These are the only options available to us.  We either believe or we don’t.

THE RESULT OF THE TESTIMONY: Those who believe the testimonies of men, the Father, and the Spirit concerning Jesus receive eternal life.  Faith in Christ allows us to take possession of the gift of eternal life.  The incarnation, crucifixion, and habitation of the Spirit of God are appropriated to us as the means by which our sins are forgiven and we are granted the gift of eternal life.  This eternal life is only available through faith in Jesus Christ.  All who place their faith in Christ as their only hope for salvation have the Son and have life.  All who refuse to believe and reject Christ do not have the Son and therefore do not have life.  

APPLICATION: Recognize the wide-ranging testimonies concerning the identity of Jesus.  Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God who has died for our sins.  Rejoice in the eternal life we receive because of His astounding sacrifice on our behalf.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Hebrews 10:32-39

But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated.     For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one.     Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.     For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.     For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.”     But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. Endurance...
Read more

James 3:5-12

How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!     And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.     For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.     With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.     From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.     Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water?     Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water. Medications come with warning labels about negative side effects they might cause...
Read more

1 Peter 3:7

Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. It is important to remember the general theme of this section is submission.  The previous section was on wives submitting to their husbands.  This section is on husbands submitting to their wives.  Submission has nothing to do with inferiority and leadership has nothing to do with superiority.  According to Scripture, leaders are called to serve.  Service is an act associated with submission. HOW HUSBANDS SUBMIT TO THEIR WIVES: The two words Peter uses to describe how husbands are to submit to their wives are understanding and honor.  There are stark differences between men and women.  We look at the world a little differently and think about things differently.  Men will often have a difficu...
Read more