Three witnesses for Christ

1 John 5:7-8 For there are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. These verses summarize the previous verses, so I’ll read it again beginning in verse. 6. 1 John 5:6 “This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and with the blood. It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement.” We talked yesterday about how God provided a foundation for faith at two historical events: Jesus’ baptism (water) and His death (blood). Jesus, as the Son of God in a human body passed through both of those events according to the Scriptures. The Holy Spirit testifies in agreement with these two witnesses that Jesus is God’s Son. The writer of Hebrews echoed these things when he wrote in 2:3-4, “After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will.” Let’s not miss the connection between this and what John wrote in this letter. The testimony of the Holy Spirit in the children of God is faith and love. This testimony agrees with the water and the blood. The water and the blood testify that God loved the world in sending His Son in human flesh to identify with us and lay down His life for us. The same qualities and characteristics of God’s love is completing its course through all believers as a testimony for others to believe. The three testimonies agree that God is love and has sent His Son to be the savior of the world by overcoming the world. Do you get it? Believers are baptized, united with Jesus’ death and life. Their faith and love for each other in Christ is a testimony that agrees with Jesus’ testimony as God’s Son. As you live to love with Jesus, you are a living testimony of the Holy Spirit in this world verifying that Jesus Christ, is the Son of God in the flesh, the savior of the world. This is no insignificant reality. It’s that for which we exist. It’s the primary reason we are saved and have His life dwelling in us. By this the world will know that God sent His Son and that we are His disciples. I hope this encourages you to take up the call to live to love with Jesus with all seriousness, intentionality, and joy. If the live to love scripture encouragements have been encouraging to you, would you please share it with your friends on social media and in your community? God’s Spirit is at work, and as we work together, we can plant the seeds and advance God’s kingdom on the earth. I hope you’ll visit www.livetolovewithjesus.com and share the resources there with those in your church and circle of relationships.