John 5:31-36 “If I alone testify about Myself, My testimony is not true. There is another who testifies of Me, and I know that the testimony which He gives about Me is true. You have sent to John, and he has testified to the truth. But the testimony which I receive is not from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved. He was the lamp that was burning and was shining, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. But the testimony which I have is greater than the testimony of John; for the works which the Father has given Me to accomplish—the very works that I do—testify about Me, that the Father has sent Me.
When Jesus called Himself the Son of Man, the Jews knew He was saying that He was the Messiah and equal with God. He explained that He had authority to execute judgment because He always sought the will of the Father. He also knew they were questioning His testimony about Himself, so having presented His case for who He is and for His actions, Jesus acknowledged that if he had no other witnesses to testify for Him, His testimony could not stand. Therefore, He cited other witnesses who could be trusted. Today we will look at the first two.
First, He recognized His cousin, John the Baptist, who had testified to the truth that He is the Messiah. The people believed John was from God, and therefore was a worthy witness. Second, Jesus presented for their consideration a greater witness—His works. Even one of the Pharisees had testified on behalf of them, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”
We also should have these two witnesses testifying of who we are and where we have come from—the testimony from man and the testimony of our works of love for His namesake. If we are the only ones testifying about ourselves that we have been born again and have Jesus’ life living within, then Jesus said in these verses that there is no truth to the testimony. Not only should there be others who bear witness to the transformation of our lives, but our love should prove the case that we are living our lives with Jesus. Love is a sign—the fruit of the Spirit at work in our lives. Our works should testify that our faith is true.
The encouragement today is that if Jesus is living in us, we love with Him, and Jesus still has the witness if His works that He is who He says He is. May our faith shine as lights in this world as we live to love with Jesus.
I invite you to become a partner in our ministry. Would you pray about becoming a regular supporter of Elijah Ministries and the Live to Love with Jesus ministry? I hope you will receive the joy and benefit of "giving it forward," so others may receive encouragement to turn their hearts to God and to live to love with Jesus. You may give online or send a check to the address listed at www.spiritofelijah.com/donate.
