Take the Stand

Take the Stand
Words of Faith 6-11-24
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2024
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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1 John 5 [6] This is the one who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. [7] For there are three that testify: [8] the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. [9] We accept man's testimony, but God's testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son. [10] Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in his heart. Anyone who does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because he has not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. [11] And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. [12] He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.

We live in interesting times. We are fascinated as a nation by the drama of our courts. Daily, if not hourly, updates on the latest "trial of the century" are not uncommon. Juries are selected. Testimony is heard. Jurors cut book and movie deals. But for all the hoopla, we still struggle with the reality that "truth" is elusive. We don't know who to believe.
John says there is a truth of which we can be absolutely sure. That truth is the reality of Jesus Christ in our lives. How can that be? Some would argue that the arena of "religion" is the most confusing of all, with hundreds of world religions, denominations, cults, and sects. How can there be any assurance at all?

John finds that assurance by bringing eternal issues into the spiritual courtroom of the heart. In doing so, we call just three witnesses to take the stand: the Spirit, the Water, and the Blood.
The Spirit of God gives testimony within us. No one can argue with the testimony of the Spirit within you. The Spirit gives testimony of a reality of relationship that religion can never understand and does not know how to cross-examine.
The Water takes the stand and gives witness to the cleansing repentance that God brings about in our hearts. We confirm that testimony outwardly in the obedient act of baptism. The blood of Jesus is the final "star witness."
The Blood of Jesus testifies once and for all of His love and cleansing work. We recall this testimony when we break the bread and share the cup of remembrance with the Body of Christ. If we receive His grace, these witnesses testify on our behalf of the reality of God's love for us.
This testimony transcends doctrinal arguments and squabbles. These three settle once and for all that we have a love relationship God has created and made available for each person. Religious arguments cannot add to or detract from that reality. Thanks be to God.

Lord, I choose to receive Your work of grace on my behalf today. I choose to receive the gift of Your Spirit. I choose today to respond to the Spirit of repentance You have put within me. I choose today to receive the righteousness You have purchased for me. I choose today to believe Your witnesses. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2024
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail, excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2024 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.