LIVING WATERS
For the proclamation of the Gospel and the edification of the Body of Christ
Witnesses (2)
When the apostle John was concluding his earthly ministry, he wrote his epistles. And in the first of these John seems to continue in the spirit of His Gospel, especially in chapter 5, as he begins talking as a witness: "Because life was manifested, and we have seen it, and we witness, and announce to you life eternal, which was with the Father and was manifested to us" (1st. John 1:2).
Toward the end of the first century, John was a solitary witness of the things that he had personally seen and touched more than sixty years previously. Peter also had been a witness, Paul had been too, but they had already departed. Only John remained alive. It is then that he lifts up his voice with the authority of God to speak as a witness.
In ending this epistle, he returns to the testimony: "And it is the Spirit that gives testimony; because the Spirit is the truth. Because three are those that give testimony in Heaven: ... and these three are those that give testimony on the earth...". It is to be noted that the Spirit is present among the three that give testimony in Heaven and among the three that give testimony on earth. That is why previously he said: "And the Spirit is the one that testifies". That is why He was poured on the day of Pentecost.
The apostle continues: "If we receive the testimony of men, greater is God's testimony... And this is the testimony: that God has given us life eternal, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life" (1st. John 5:6-12).
As we see, God's testimony is centered in His Son. This also is so in John 5, where we see that there are five witnesses of His Deity, of His condition as God's Son and as Christ. And this testimony is very well synthesized here: He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son does not have the life. It is a most clear matter, the most elemental logic. Anyone can understand that.
During the present time, as well as during the days of the apostles, God had a testimony and witnesses. The testimony continues to be the same now: That life (God's life, eternal life) is in His Son.
This testimony is reaching today ears that do not want to hear, not only in this world, but also in the midst of the church. Although it is so clear that the life is in the Son, the church is entertained in many things that have nothing to do with the Son, and even hinder the work of God. Much philosophy, much ideology, muy self-help. All that has nothing to do with Christ, therefore, it is lifeless.
Many beautiful things that Christians appreciate do not have God's life. Whosoever occupies himself in them gets occupied in the things of the flesh, from which only corruption is obtained. It is irrelevant how beautiful these things are. What is important is if something has a relation with God's Son. If something does not have a relation with Him, it is only rottenness. It sows death and not life into the heart of men.
God sent His Son to the world to bring life, because the world was in death. If we reject God's Son, we continue in death, just as the world was before He came. But He came and brought us life. Thanks to God.