Do You Know The Greatest Witness?
Good Morning Friends,
Perhaps you have been in a church service and the pastor calls out, “Can I have a witness?” Typically, they are looking for affirmation of a theological point, but on a deeper level perhaps what they are really seeking is an intimacy with God that changes hearts. And then perhaps you have seen the drama of a courtroom where, on the testimony of a witness, the future of a person’s life rests. With these images we have the stage set for today’s devotional on our journey to Pentecost even as we seek the unity and intimacy of the Spirit. And so, this morning we remember our baptism and examine ourselves, as to whether we are in a faith that loves. And we judge ourselves in part related to our water baptism and our related repentance, but more importantly against the standard furnished in the Spirit’s testimony in the witness of God that we are children of God. You see, we are not only seeking Jesus to abide in us, by the Spirit which he has given us, but to also have a confidence and closeness which witnesses the fruits of our life to the glory of God. And even though we sometimes doubt, we are to know God’s love and find an answer in the Spirit of Jesus in how to share it. Do You Know
The Greatest Witness?
Scripture: Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”
Matthew 3:13-17 (NRSV)
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. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.
1 John 5:9-13 (NRSV)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us,
Hebrews 12:1 (NRSV)
While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul passed through the interior regions and came to Ephesus, where he found some disciples. He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?” They replied, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” Then he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They answered, “Into John’s baptism.” Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied— altogether there were about twelve of them.
Acts 19:1-7 (NRSV)
For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!” it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
Romans 8:15-16 (NRSV)
Message: That we have the witness of God at the Baptism of Jesus is no accident for it sets the stage for the witness of the Spirit in our life and the witness of Christ in our defense on Judgement Day, for Jesus has come not to baptism with water, but by the Holy Spirit and with fire. And so, we acknowledge in the Apostles’ Creed that we believe in God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. And we pray to the Holy Spirit… seek counsel and guidance of the Holy Spirit and proclaim the Holy Spirits’ indwelling in us and our lives, for this is indeed the baptism by the Holy Spirit gifted by Christ. But there is more. For in this most important of prayers is our request that the Holy Spirit manifest in our very lives so Jesus might witness in our behalf before the Father. Friends, the greatest witness is that of Christ on Judgement Day that we are part of the family. Still some interpret the baptism of fire as referring to the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was sent from heaven. And some believe that the baptism with fire refers to the Holy Spirit’s office as the energizer of the believer’s service, and the purifier of evil within. And some believe that the baptism with fire is the judgement of God. But friends, perhaps is it all three in unity that empowers our lives in the mystery of a love that saves.
Pray the Holy Spirit comes into our hearts turning our individualism into personhood. Pray on this Mother’s Day that the Holy Spirit fill our hearts and kindle in them the fire of love for families and children. Pray the Holy Spirit works in us to create, renew, and restore sanctity and sanity into this world. Pray the Holy Spirit makes us wise so we might enjoy God and be a blessing to others. Pray we are blessed so we might be a blessing…saved so that others might witness in us the Way of love.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 