In a court, a testimony should involve witnesses describing facts and events just as they observed them. Even if some TV shows suggest otherwise, testimony isn’t supposed to be a corruption of the truth, nor should it be someone trying to present things in a twisted manner to skew the jury’s perception in a certain way.
In John 15, Jesus calls His disciples to testify.
“When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me. And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.
John 15:26-27 NIV
When the disciples remain in Jesus, follow Jesus’ commands, love each other, and experience the fullness of joy that this brings, their words, behavior, and attitude will testify to the truth that they have personally witnessed: the truth that is Jesus Christ. This isn’t second-hand testimony, a scripted account, or a skewed portrayal of events. It is simply the facts that they know to be true, because they were there.
But, Jesus doesn’t leave the disciples on their own. Yes, the disciples were first-hand eyewitnesses of Jesus and His ministry, but Jesus is sending Someone else to also testify. This Advocate, Helper, Comforter, and Intercessor is the Holy Spirit, and (if you’ve read ahead to Acts, as studied in an earlier article) Jesus did indeed send the Holy Spirit to His disciples, resulting in them testifying and witnessing to the truth of Jesus, boldly and with great effect.
So, if you’ve been following along for the past few articles, what can we learn from Jesus’ words to His disciples in John 15? Well, there is an extraordinary amount that we could learn from this chapter, but perhaps I can offer just a few points:
Let’s remain in Jesus and in His love, both in not listening to bad directions or condemnation from evil voices (like guilt for our sins that Jesus has already paid for, and whose sacrificial gift we have already accepted), and in showing love to Jesus (who saved us).
Let’s bear good fruit for God, not by just “working harder”, but by remaining in Jesus, and letting His commands, His power, and His direction flow through us. Remember, in the illustration used in an earlier article, we’re not the hydrant or the water main, just the firefighters.
Let’s be a good partner with God the Father, as He looks for fruit from our lives, and seeks to cut away from our lives that which reduces our ability to produce fruit. Whether He seeks more from something in our lives, or He seeks less, may we accept His wise adjustments and corrections.
Let’s follow Jesus’ commandments, by studying His word to learn what those commandments are, and then by obeying them.
Let’s especially follow Jesus’ command to love each other. This might mean giving up our life for someone else, but – for most of us – it probably means loving our brothers and sisters in Christ every day.
Let’s not be surprised at pushback when we’re doing the right thing. However, if a sinful world seems to agree with us on too many things, let’s be willing to perform some introspection and see if we’re still living like Jesus.
May we be first-person witnesses who testify to the truth of Jesus, as well as to the joy that we have found in Him.
From Sunday School lesson prepared for January 28, 2024
References:
- The Lookout, January 28, 2024, © 2024 Christian Standard Media.
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- The College Press NIV Commentary – John, by Beauford H. Bryant and Mark S. Krause. © 1998 College Press Publishing Co.
Those Who Sin Differently 