URC Daily Devotion 28th June 2019

This is the one who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ, not with the water only but with the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one that testifies, for the Spirit is the truth. There are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood, and these three agree.  If we receive human testimony, the testimony of God is greater; for this is the testimony of God that he has testified to his Son. Those who believe in the Son of God have the testimony in their hearts. Those who do not believe in God have made him a liar by not believing in the testimony that God has given concerning his Son. And this is the testimony: 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.
Reflection
This single, strong powerful testimony. That is all we need written on our hearts.

Many of us, I’m sure, will find the concept of ‘testimony’ daunting. But that’s on the assumption that a testimony is simply standing up in front of lots of people saying how they came to know Jesus. Not an easy task. Particularly if, like me, you grew up in the Church anyway, and/or you struggle to pinpoint an exact time at which you first came to know Jesus. But this delivery is the most common association with the word. Testimony as a word is actually far simpler than this. Deriving from the Latin word ‘testis’ (yes, I chuckled too!), but meaning ‘witness’. Best to leave that there… But that’s really all it is, a witness!

The testimony of God is manifested through Jesus Christ. The life Jesus lived was a witness to God’s power, glory and love for the world. The ‘ultimate witness’ was seen at Eastertide. The biggest sacrifice that could have been made, was made by God, giving his only Son. This is the very testimony we must tell. We must be witness to the living God. It’s important that the life we live out, the life others see, is a testimony. Others need to see the Jesus in us, see us living a Christ-like life, imitating him closely.

We don’t need to be confident at public speaking to ‘do’ testimony. We are all testimonies through our everyday life. Some may find that daunting and pressurising, perhaps feeling watched, or judged? But rest assured, similar to my encounters in the gym, people will actually only pay attention to the bits that you do well! So make those good bits shine, make your Christ-like characteristics shine!

Living God,
help us to be
the confident person in the gym,
help us to let our actions be visible,
and be known
actions inspired by you,
by the life your Son led on this earth.
So that all may see the witness
we have to offer
the witness of your love for us,
and your saving grace
Amen.

Today’s Writer

Dan Morrell, former URC Youth Assembly Moderator, member of St Andrew’s, Roundhay.

Bible Version

 

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