(The following is the November 19 devotional from my Next Step Devotions book. Before reading it, I suggest you read 1 John 1 and pay close attention to verses 1-4.)
Christian faith is not just a set of doctrines we believe in, although it includes that. Our faith is, first and foremost, a vital relationship with the one true God, a new birth we experience by trusting in Christ as Savior. We don’t proclaim faith only because of what others experience and say. We are eyewitnesses to God’s work in our lives.
John, the beloved disciple, one of the twelve, author of the Gospel of John, emphasized being an eyewitness: “What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have observed and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life – that life was revealed, and we have seen it and we testify and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us – what we have seen and heard we also declare to you, so that you may also have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete” (vv. 1-4).
As part of Jesus’ inner circle, John was an eyewitness of Jesus’ earthly ministry, death, and resurrection. He devoted the rest of his life to sharing what he witnessed. His motive was that others might believe in Christ (John 20:31), have fellowship with other believers (v. 3), and that the believers’ joy may be complete (v. 4). He could write and speak with authority because of his experience.
All believers are eyewitnesses to God’s work. We were once lost in sin but are now redeemed saints of God, thanks to God’s work in us. Our profession of faith and testimony to others declares our eyewitness account of knowing and walking with Christ.
Eyewitness accounts are powerful testimonies. Share yours often.
Next Step:
Write down your testimony of experiencing and walking with Jesus. The length doesn’t matter; your eyewitness account is the point. Pray for an opportunity to share your testimony with someone soon.
