Testimony of Life

1 John 1:1-2 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched – this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.
 
SINCE the time Jesus lived, died, rose and ascended, many loud voices have cried out to deny Jesus. Mockers have called Christianity a lie. In mankind’s sad sin nature, our basic desire is to deny God, who loves us sacrificially and eternally. John’s life and ministry certainly confronted people in the culture and even in the church who said, “I don’t believe Jesus. He’s a fable, a myth, an idea created to accuse mankind.
     How do we respond to such sin-stained hearts who continue to confront our faith? John shows us how. He testifies to his personal relationship with Jesus.
     John plainly preaches he experienced Jesus first in the total human experience. He touched Jesus. He heard Jesus speak. He saw Jesus with his own eyes. Then he testifies to his spiritual relationship with Jesus. Jesus’ words are Life. Jesus is the Word come to life (as he also wrote in John 1). With wonder and joy, John testifies he and others have seen the life appear. Then he preaches the true power of Jesus: “We proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.” John assures us Jesus was a real man who walked the earth! Then he confirms Jesus is the eternal Word of God is everlasting Life. He preaches with confidence because he is an eyewitness to Jesus’ resurrection reality.
     What is your testimony? Are you testifying how you have experienced Jesus? Ture, you haven’t physically walked and talked with him. You haven’t seen him with your own eyes. But in the Spirit, believing in Jesus, you must walk with your true risen Lord. Living in his Life, you will experience the touch of his power. You will see others through his eyes of love, forgiveness and truth. Knowing Jesus personally, you will tell others. The world’s doubters cannot deny your true testimony, “I have seen Jesus!”  
 
Life Thought: Your testimony must be evidence you have personally seen Jesus.