Let’s go forerunners!

John 1:6-7 There came a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to testify about the Light so that all might believe through him. The encouragement today is that all of us who are believers in Jesus Christ are sent by God as witnesses to testify about Jesus so others may believe through Him. God sent John as a forerunner for His Son, and in many ways, Christ-followers are all forerunners for Jesus. Jesus spoke about John the Baptist in this way. “This is the one about whom it is written: ‘Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ I say to you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he” (Luke 7:27-28). John and we are sent as forerunners for Jesus because of God’s love. It’s an amazing expression of love for God to prepare the way for His Son that they might believe through Him and have eternal life. We are encouraged by this verse to point people to Jesus not only as the source of light but also as the source of faith. Notice it doesn’t say, “so that all might believe in Him.” God puts people in our paths so that we might manifest His light in our lives by loving with and through Him. Our testimony is that we have come to faith in Jesus through Jesus’s life given to us by God. The prayer of the father with the epileptic son expresses this understanding and awareness of need. “Lord, I do believe, but help my unbelief.” Peter, the apostle, echoed the truth that faith comes through Jesus Christ when he wrote, “For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you, who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God” (1 Peter 1:20-21). What does light do? It makes it possible for us to see and work. Remember John 1:4? “In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.” The witness to Christ testifies about the light that He is in the world, and Jesus is the light switch. If you want to believe, then look to Jesus for life. As forerunners, we have at least four functions. 1). To call people to be ready, alert, and looking for a savior. 2). Let them know what to expect so that when He comes, they recognize Him. 3). Encourage them to get their hearts ready by repenting of attitudes and actions that would hinder His coming to them. And 4). Point them to Jesus. Today, you may have some opportunities to testify about Jesus as the Light of the world. His life is the Light. Their greatest need isn’t the Light. What they need most is His life. Living to love with Jesus is testifying to Jesus as life, and His life is revealed by our love, which is the Light of the world. Let’s go, forerunners! I invite you to become a partner in our ministry. Would you pray about becoming a regular supporter of Elijah Ministries and the Live to Love with Jesus ministry? I hope you will receive the joy and benefit of “giving it forward,” so others may receive encouragement to turn their hearts to God and to live to love with Jesus. You may give online or send a check to the address listed at www.spiritofelijah.com/donate.